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On the Straight and Narrow

By Krista Elliott

How we hold our bodies is often influenced not only by our individual body mechanisms, but by society itself. From "manspreading" to runway walks, how we sit, stand, walk, run, and gesture has been inextricably linked throughout history to gender roles and the fashion of the day. Although the posture that is healthiest for our bodies hasn't changed with time, what is deemed "good posture" has. 

The S-Curve: At the turn of the 20th century, the proper posture for women was considered to be the S-curve, or "pouter pigeon." Achieved via the use of tight corsetry, women stood with their chest forward and abdomen held well back, giving the body a distinct S-curve when seen from the side. The Delineator, a popular magazine at the time, described it thusly

At present there is no curving in or tapering at the waist-line in front and curving out again over the abdomen. The correct form, not only to be up to date but also to be hygienic, should have a straight line from the bust to the abdomen.

The New Look: The nipped-in fashions of the 1950s emphasized tiny, girdled waists and structural hipbones. The resultant posture was what former Met curator Harold Coda described as “slightly hunched, with the back curved, the buttocks tucked under, and the pelvis pushed forward."

The Waif: The 1990s brought us the waif, personified in models like Kate Moss, who slouched sullenly throughout the decade. Upright posture was solely for the bourgeousie, while the cool kids stomped around in Doc Marten boots, with their shoulders drooping under the weight of Gen-X cynicism. 

Fashions may come and go, but a healthy spine is eternal. So what IS the healthiest standing posture? 

  • Stand straight and tall, with shoulders back but relaxed
  • Keep your abdomen pulled in without overarching your back. 
  • Your hips should be square over your knees, without being tilted too far forward or backward
  • As a good visualization, imagine a helium balloon tied to the very top of your head, pulling you gently upward. 

To help maintain that healthy posture, you have to be able to attain it in the first place, which is hard to do if you have subluxations and muscular imbalances. Chiropractic treatment from the experts at The Joint Chiropractic helps your joints and spine be in their healthiest possible position, by way of gentle and precise adjustments that relieve pain and joint misalignments. 

When excellent posture is combined with routine chiropractic care, you can achieve real relief from back pain and subluxations, as well as easier breathing and digestion, fewer headaches, and even better-fitting clothing! So pop by The Joint today. You don't even need an appointment, and can be well on your way to the straight path to better back health. 

 

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