How a Chiropractor Can Help Your Confidence
By Emily Lindholm
The way we hold ourselves conveys a lot, especially when it comes to confidence. What we need to know is that good, confident posture is not about how we hold ourselves, but where. So where do you hold yourself?
When I stood up erect, I used to jut out my rib cage to draw my shoulders back. It's very common to hold yourself in a particular area, especially in the way that I just described. This can put too much strain on one particular muscle group. In my case, I was putting strain on my upper trapezoids and creating too much extension in my back. So I'm going to tell you a secret, and the secret is in your mid-back.
The Magical Mid-Back
Posture is associated with shoulder placement, but shoulder placement relies on the stability of the scapulae. The muscles that help keep the scapulae stable are the magical mid-back muscles, the muscles that support the way that you carry yourself. These guys are the ones that will help you hold yourself more confidently and feel longer in your spine.
So which muscles am I talking about specifically? The major muscles that we're looking at here include:
- Serratus anterior
- Rhomboids
- Multifidi
Of course, as I said before, focusing on just one muscle group can put a strain on that area. Posture is created by whole-body awareness. Everything is connected. However, it's common for people to forget about the mid-back muscles. In fact, many people have never been taught how to use them. Without having strength in this area, the core is less supported, and the scapulae will be less stable.
How a Chiropractor Can Help
A chiropractor knows that posture matters. He or she can be your best friend in determining which exercises are best for you and give you adjustments to help you achieve the upright posture. They can help you build better awareness of different muscle groups and start using them properly.
The body adjusts itself according to how it needs to compensate. A chiropractor will help you understand where you are overcompensating and where you are weak. The education you can receive from a chiropractor is priceless because it will change the way that you move and the way that you work out if you're active. And, it will ultimately change the way that you carry yourself.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Orlando, Fla.