Practicing Good Posture Makes Great Health Sense
By Stephen R. Farris
Is your posture correct? Are the muscles surrounding your spine strong and balanced? A sign of good posture -- minus some natural bone or spine curvatures in the body -- happens when our feet are resting flat on the floor when in a sitting position, along with our weight being evenly distributed upon our hips. Our shoulders should be back, yet in a relaxed position, and finally, our ears should be in line with our collarbones.
With everything in life, there are both good and bad. Yes, you can practice posture. Usually this happens over a period of time due to some bad habits we develop over the years. Poor posture can lead to a variety of health issues if not corrected.
So What is Considered Poor Posture?
Anytime you sit or stand for lengthy periods of time slouched over, this is considered a sign of poor posture, and could eventually cause back pain. We often slouch while sitting at our desk at work and usually when viewing paperwork or looking at a computer screen, we tend to tilt our head forward. This can put tension on our neck, which can lead to headaches. When our bones and joints are out of alignment -- due to poor posture -- we may find ourselves lacking the energy to do things. Remember that forward tilt I mentioned earlier? Not only can the neck be affected by it, but it can also put added tension on your upper back and shoulders. So as you can see, poor posture can cause a lot of problems to your body.
What Are the Effects of Good Posture?
In a nutshell, overall good health and appearance. But that's not all. Included in overall health are the positives from all the negative things mentioned due to poor posture. Positives include:
- Reduced lower back pain
- Fewer headaches associated with poor posture
- Increased energy levels
- Less tension in your shoulders and neck
- Reduction in abnormal wear and tear of joint surfaces
- Increased lung capacity
- Improved circulation and digestion
- Reduced temporomandibular joint pain
- Improved core and scapular strength
- Better form during workouts
- Look taller
- Improved self-confidence
If your posture is out of whack, then visit with your local chiropractor such as the ones that can be found at The Joint Chiropractic. Their professional skilled staff of board certified chiropractors use a hands-on, all-natural, non-invasive, and non-addictive form of treatment for the pain you're feeling in your back, neck, and joints. No appointment necessary and no worries about insurance copays. The Joint Chiropractic has more than 600 nationwide locations, so there's bound to be one near you so you can get the pain relief you deserve the natural way.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Charlotte, N.C.