Health Issues Caused by Bad Posture
By Sara Butler
As you get older, there are many things you realize your mother was right about -- and posture is one of them! All those times you were told to sit up straight or not to slouch was actually hurting your health. In fact, there are some very legitimate ways that poor posture can impact your overall health and wellness. Here are a few detrimental side effects poor posture can bring.
Pain
If you slouch or practice poor posture each day, then it can lead to tension in the neck, shoulders, and back that can eventually result in pain. Although you don't want to overcorrect by pulling your shoulders back too far, as that could result in additional issues such as stiffness and even more tension, you want to do your best to correct slouching your do.
The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic can show you some simple exercises to help you practice better posture, so make sure to ask!
Circulation Issues
If you sit for hours at a time with poor posture, then you may be impacting your body's circulatory system. This can put you at risk for developing circulation issues down the road and keeping your body from getting what it needs from your circulatory system.
The results? You may be at an increased risk of developing issues such as varicose veins, which can be painful.
Decreased Organ Function
Poor posture can also impact the function of some of your organs, such as your lungs and digestive system.
When it comes to your lungs, the amount of air you're able to breathe in when hunched or leaning forward can be diminished. That has a cascading impact on the rest of your body because if your lungs can't take in enough oxygen, then your heart, brain, and many other organs can also be impacted.
Digestion is another body function that can be impacted by poor posture since slouching can compress the organs in your abdomen and have a negative impact on your body's ability to process the food you eat properly.
Spinal Joint Dysfunction
Yet another side effect of poor posture is the development of spinal joint dysfunctions, which can have a big impact on how your central nervous system communicates with the rest of your body. Plus, joint dysfunctions can have other negative side effects such as making you more prone to painful muscle spasms.
If you have questions about stretching for your spine, then talk to the chiropractor.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.