The Ultimate Guide to Good Posture

Posture is so much more than just looking poised and more confident. Having correct posture while standing and sitting allows our bodies to function more properly. This article will discuss posture and how to improve yours starting today!

What’s so bad about poor posture?

Even though poor posture can make you look less sharp than normal, it’s also terrible for your health. It causes bad circulation and can also be the source of vertebrae deterioration over time. Being active with bad posture can be horrible for your muscles and joints. It can limit your activity because muscle and joint pain paired with poor circulation leads to early exhaustion. Neutral positions relax the body, while bad positions put too much strain on the body. The result can be pain your shoulders, neck, and even headaches! Bad posture is more likely to cause herniated discs- 25% of people with back pain suffer from this excruciating ailment. The bottom line is that poor posture causes misalignments in your body, which can negatively affect your muscles, bones, and limit your range of motion.

What causes bad posture?

Although bad posture is not always a sign of laziness, the United States have an increasing number of weight issues which can change how our bones and muscles support the rest of our body. People who are overweight tend to be less active, also leading to an increased risk for disease. Unsupportive shoes, genetics, and stress can all also be triggers to poor posture and weight problems. If you have been in an accident, have poor lumbar support or an unsupportive mattress, your chairs are too high or low, or you have weak muscles, it is more likely that you have poor posture. Unfortunately, it can be an incredibly vicious cycle. Poor posture leads to back pain, which leads to even worse posture, causing even more excruciating pain.

Learn how to have great posture in every position.

Getting a good idea of correct posture can help you realign your body properly. You can do a quick at home (or office!) test to check your posture. First, stand up with your back of your head against the wall. Then, place your heels about 6 inches from the wall, with your bottom and shoulder blades still touching the wall. Measure the length between your neck or the small of your back and the wall. If there is less than a two inch gap, your posture is okay! A larger gap, however, can indicate poor posture and also a curving spine.

When you are sitting, keep these tips in mind: Keep your head straight, not down or tilted. Sit with your knees slightly lower than your hips, and try to relax your back and shoulders. Be sure your feet are flat on the floor, and do not tuck your feet under your chair or cross your legs. When you are standing, be sure to keep your shoulders and back aligned. You can also use your stomach muscles to make sure you are straight. Slightly bend your knees to release pressure from the hips, and make sure to wear quality shoes. When walking, make sure your chin is parallel to the ground and walk from heel to toe. Do not look at your feet or arch your back. When running, don’t forget this: Keep your head up and always look forward. Lean slightly forward and hit the ground with the middle of your foot before rolling onto the toe. You can also get better posture when sleeping. You can use a firm mattress that can provide you with more support. Stretching before bed will also ease your muscles and keep them from getting tense.

If you want more tips and tricks for better posture and other healthier lifestyle choices, contact Hifai Chiropractic today at (858) 434-8080 to schedule a consultation with our chiropractor.