9 Tips for Better Posture
By Debra Rodzinak
Having better posture is not only better looking overall, but it is better for overall back health. Poor posture leads to stress on the body’s spine and puts strain on the joints and muscles of the spine and leads to pain and discomfort. Obtaining better posture leads to a happier and healthier spine.
Don’t Slouch
Slouching puts undo stress on the spine and strains the bones, muscles, and joints that help the spine stay in place. Not only does slumping constantly look bad, but it can affect the way the organs in the body work. Digestion can be more difficult and breathing can be labored when these vital organs are not allowed to expand to full capacity.
Straighten Up
Stand up for good posture. In addition to feeling better, standing up straight can also help you look slimmer. Imagine that a wall is to your back, hold the head straight and tuck in the chin. Align the ears over the shoulders, stand with shoulders back, abdomen tucked in, and knees straight but not locked. Imagine that a string is running through your spine and out the top of the head.
Check Posture at Work
Sitting for a prolonged period of time at a desk can lead to slouching. When the upper body muscles are not engaged and become weak, they cannot support the shoulders and the body will slump forward. To eliminate this problem, strengthen the back muscles, sit all the way back in the chair, invest in a lumbar cushion to protect the lower back, keep the knees at a 90-degree angle, and place the feet flat on the floor.
Text Neck
Texting forces the head to look down and the neck to stretch. The spine is severely strained when the neck and head are lowered. Over the course of time, this can lead to poor posture and weakness in the neck. When texting, try to hold the phone at eye level to decrease the amount of time the neck and head are in a downward position.
Sit Up While Driving
Reclining on a long drive may be comfortable at first, but over time, it can lead to poor posture. Pull the seat close to the steering wheel, allow the knees to bend slightly, and place them so that they are slightly higher than hip level. If your car features a lumbar support function, use it! Take frequent breaks from driving and stretch.
Chiropractic
To ensure proper posture, have a highly qualified chiropractor evaluate your spinal health on a regular basis. The experts at The Joint Chiropractic work with patients to develop a treatment plan and bring better spinal health. With no pesky insurance forms to fill out or appointment times to remember, finding better posture with overall spinal health is just a walk-in away.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.