As a child, your parents stressed the importance of good posture. We were constantly reminded to sit up straight and not slouch. As we get older, our posture tends to get worse. This lack of awareness can cause people to slip back into poor posture.
In our article today, we will discuss the importance of maintaining proper posture and the steps you can take to regain your posture.
Dangers of poor posture
Naturally, your spine is supposed to make an “S” shape. However, years of improper posture can cause the natural curvature of your spine to change shape. This change can put you at risk of experiencing more serious injuries down the road.
Additionally, people with poor posture often times get less sleep and experience joint, back, neck, and head pain.
To combat this, we must realize that the spine is the central source of connecting our nervous system with the rest of our body. If this source is out of alignment, the rest of your body will experience discomfort or pain over time. So, it is important to be aware of your spinal health to prevent any serious future injuries.
Improving your posture
Being aware of your posture is the first step to being able to correct it. When you begin to feel your back, shoulders, and neck slouching, take a moment to adjust your posture. To know if you’re doing it right, imagine there’s a string attached to your head and running through your body. In your mind, imagine that the string is pulling your body up. With a slight bend in the knees, extend your lower back forward using your core and back muscles. Then pull your chest to the sky, which will help relieve tension from your neck. Lastly, raise your shoulders to your ears, pull them back as if you’re flexing your shoulder blades, and then slowly push them forward, allowing your arms to rest by your side.
Now, that may seem like an easy fix, but if you’ve experienced poor posture for years, it will take some time to build up the habit of naturally maintaining your posture and building your spine back up.
There are a couple of ways you can do this:
#1 Exercise
Exercise, exercise, exercise… We can’t stress the importance of regular exercise not only for your physical health but your mental health as well. One of the main causes of poor posture is a weak back and hip. There are several forms of exercise that are natural and less taxing on your body that you can begin implementing in your daily life. Some of our favorites are yoga, GOATA, and pilates.
#2 Sit less
Now we’re saying that you should stop sitting altogether, but we must consider the fact that our bodies were not designed to sit in one place all day. The design of the modern office chair encourages people to develop unhealthy habits in their posture. So consider purchasing or building a standing desk that allows you to stay on your feet and move around. If a standing desk is not an option for you, look into purchasing a knee chair that encourages you to sit up properly and engages your lower back.
#3 Chiropractic care
Hiring a trusted chiropractor can be one of the best decisions someone who is looking to address their posture issues can make. Your chiropractor can adjust your spine, providing you with a much wider range of motion and better mobility. Your chiropractor can also recommend exercises for you and show you how to do them properly to avoid the risk of injury. If you have weight issues, they can advise you on diet and lifestyle changes.
Visit us at ProActive Health today to “Align Your Spine, Realign Your Life!”
Ready to see a chiropractor, whether for the first time or as someone looking to visit a new chiropractic office? Dr. Doug Patterson at ProActive Health is the top choice in the Michiana area! He’ll help guide you in developing a plan to tackle a routine exercise plan, consuming the right foods, and targeting your goals with chiropractic care.
In 1993, Dr. Doug Patterson hurt his back and first sought the care of a Chiropractor. After this experience, he decided he wanted to help people himself by pursuing chiropractic. He is a 1997 graduate of the Life University College of Chiropractic in Marietta, Georgia, and has been in practice for 25+ years. Since then, Dr. Doug has expanded his field of practice to include functional medicine, science-based nutrition, and now certified in Shockwave Therapy. Schedule a visit with Dr. Doug at ProActive Health today!
