Why Chiropractors Want You to Stop Slouching
By Brandi Goodman
The shoulder and back pain you feel could have a lot to do with your slouch. Your posture plays an important role in maintaining the health of your spine and preventing aches. When you're constantly slouching, hunching over, and never sitting or standing up straight, you're doing more harm to your body than you might think. This is why chiropractors want you to stop slouching now and pay more attention to the movements of your body.
A Heavy Head
Your head is heavy. In fact, the average head weighs about 10 pounds. If you spend a lot of time looking down at your phone and letting yourself slouch, then you're consistently having 10 pounds pull on your shoulders. The muscles in your neck and shoulders and possibly even the top of your back will be working harder than they should. This quickly leads to muscle fatigue and pain. Keeping your head upright helps to prevent this.
Headaches are also a part of this. If you start to notice that you're getting headaches more often than usual, check your posture. Are you slouching regularly? Have you been letting your head hang? Make some changes so you can decrease your head pain and avoid further discomfort.
Arthritis of the Knees
Poor posture and not standing up straight can easily exacerbate arthritis of the knees. It leads to a misalignment of your spine that places significant stress on your knees and other joints. This stress will cause serious problems and pain that can leave you debilitated. If you have arthritis, proper posture is a must.
Poor Circulation
Sitting slumped isn't the only sign of bad posture. Having your legs crossed is also posture-related. This can lead to poor circulation. Your body will not be able to get the blood flow it needs which can lead to serious health concerns. Don't just sit up straight. Keep your legs from crossing and make sure to keep your feet planted firmly on the floor when you're seated.
Consider every movement your body makes and correct your form as soon as you notice it's off. Slouching and hunching can cause serious strain that leads to chronic pain. Visit The Joint Chiropractic to have an assessment and see how slouching may have hurt your spine already. An adjustment may be in order to help restore some range of motion. You might also receive some helpful tips on how best to maintain your posture and keep your spine strong
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Salem, N.H.