The Power of Posture
By Sara Butler
Your mother -- along with the chiropractors at The Joint -- don’t talk to you about your posture just to annoy you. No, they do it because of how important your posture is to your overall health and wellness. Good posture says a lot about your health and has benefits for it too. Here are just a few things the chiropractors at The Joint want you to know about the power of posture.
It’s Less Stressful
When you practice good posture, it puts less stress and strain on your joints and bones. Combine this with regular chiropractic care and you’re removing joint restriction and dysfunction that allows your body to properly utilize your muscles and joints to keep your posture nearly perfect. This will help to decrease abnormal wear and tear on your joints and bones, reducing your chances of developing osteoarthritis later in life as well as avoid pain and discomfort. If you’ve been practicing poor posture, correcting it can be tough at first, but if you can stick with it, it’ll be worth the effort.
It Strengthens Muscles
The muscles in your abdomen, also called core muscles, help to support your back, your hips, your pelvic floor, and your stomach. If they’re strong then they can all work together to give your body a solid foundation to move from.
Yoga and Pilates are two great ways to strengthen these core muscles, but proper posture when sitting and standing is also important. Proper posture activates your core to help keep it strong.
It Helps You Breathe
If you ever feel like you just can’t take in a full breath, then it might be your posture that’s causing the problem. The soft tissue of your lungs needs space to expand. If you’re hunched or slouched over, that’s less room for them to expand, restricting your ability to breathe deeply and fully.
It Improves Energy and Mood
Researchers are starting to discover the impact posture has on your energy and your mood. Good posture can help you to feel better and impact your emotions. Slouching has been connected to negative thoughts but standing up tall and strong has been associated with encouraging thoughts. If you’re feeling down in the dumps, then it just might be your posture that’s the culprit.
Talk to the chiropractors at The Joint for some practical tips about how to improve your posture and begin reaping all the benefits!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sacramento, Calif.