Top Tips for Posture Perfection
By Sara Butler
When you have poor posture it can have a big impact on your health over time. Sure, you see your chiropractor regularly, but if you want to keep your spine healthy and protect your overall health, you also need to do some things on your own to ensure you are practicing good posture. Here are some great tips to get you started!
Know the Warning Signs
So, how do you know if your posture is poor? There are some things you can look for to help clue you in:
- Back pain worse at certain times of the day – If you’re practicing poor posture while sitting at your work desk, then you may notice pain and fatigue in your back by the afternoon.
- Pain that goes away after switching positions – If you’re experiencing pain in your back, neck, lower back, arms or legs and moving to a new position helps to alleviate it, then your posture might be to blame.
- Sudden back pain in a new environment – If you start a new job and it brings with it new back pain, your posture and ergonomics may be causing it!
Know How to Sit and Stand
You need to know how to stand and sit the right way. When you’re standing you should have your weight evenly distributed between your two feet, making sure each foot is balanced on the front, back and sides.
When you’re sitting at work you should make sure your lower back is touching the back of the chair for support; also make sure your ears line up over your shoulders and your hips. Be sure to take frequent breaks, at least once an hour, in order to fight off fatigue from sitting in one position for too long.
You’ve Got to Move It
Poor posture becomes more likely the longer you’re in one position, so that’s why moving frequently is important. When sitting, change positions often and set a timer to remind you to get up out of your seat and move around one to two times every hour. It doesn’t have to be a walk around the block or anything, you can benefit from taking two minutes to stand, walk around, and stretch a bit.
Make it a Priority
Just being aware of your posture during everyday activities can make a big difference. If you have questions or concerns about your posture, your chiropractor is a wonderful resource!