Proper Posture: A Must for Your Wellness
By Sara Butler
You've likely been reminded more than once throughout your life to stand up straight, but did you heed that advice? Posture has more of an impact on your health and wellness than you may think. In fact, improper posture can cause problems you may not have imagined were possible. Here's what you need to know about the impact of proper posture on your wellness and how the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic can help.
Why Posture Matters
Your spine protects your central nervous system but it also enables your body to move in a variety of ways. Due to this, it's under an immense amount of stress and strain which can result in your normal movement being impacted if problems arise. When stress and strain are placed on the spine, it impacts movement and also your central nervous system. That means that ultimately, your posture can have an impact on how your body functions and heals as well as how healthy you are overall.
When you have healthy posture, the head is balanced over the shoulders and the natural curves of your spine are properly supported. If you have improper posture, then that balance is thrown off. In fact, for every inch of forward head posture you have, it places 10 additional pounds of pressure on the spine. Throw in a sedentary lifestyle and postural changes that can have a real impact on your health and wellness are a reality. The good news is that you can fix your posture and prevent future problems with the help of chiropractic care.
Posture Issues
So what kind of posture problems can crop up? The two most common posture issues that the chiropractors at The Joint see are upper crossed syndrome and lower crossed syndrome.
Upper crossed syndrome occurs when the muscles in the chest and the back become weak due to improper posture. This places stress on the rest of the body and creates joint dysfunctions and restrictions that can lead to even more problems with pain and discomfort, reducing function.
Upper crossed syndrome symptoms include:
- Rounded shoulders
- Forward head posture
- Tension at the base of the skull
As for lower crossed syndrome, this involves the muscles in the lower back and hip. When these muscles become tight, the muscles in your core and buttocks become weaker. This leads to imbalances that can lead to degeneration of the spine as well as chronic pain.
Symptoms of lower crossed syndrome include:
- Stiffness in the hips, legs, and lower back
- Muscle spasms in the hips, legs, and lower back
- Muscle tension
You must pay attention to your posture to help avoid these issues. If you need help, then the chiropractors at The Joint can assess your posture and offer you tips to help you correct it.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.