Good Posture is More Than Just Appearance
By Stephen R. Farris
What is good posture? If you were in the military it probably meant standing at attention, eyes straight ahead, chest out, and stomach in with arms by the side. In reality, some of that does apply. When sitting it's basically the same.
Good posture is also essential for helping maintain your core. Often we sit slouching or in a slumped position, especially when viewing TV, or looking at a computer monitor, and/or our smartphone, tablet, etc. This can put stress on our lower back.
However, there are benefits from having and practicing good posture. For instance:
Fewer Headaches
If we're maintaining poor posture, it can lead to tension and possibly cause you to develop a headache. To keep that from happening, adjust your posture to the correct position, and if you were beginning to feel a headache coming on beforehand, try doing some neck stretches to relieve the tension.
Better Energy Levels
Practicing good posture helps keep your energy levels up, so you won't feel fatigued. One way to help maintain the muscles around your core is to do some torso twists.
Reduction in Hip Pain
When we put ourselves in poor posture mode, we may tend to lean on one leg or the other. This can be stressful to the hip area and eventually lead to pain in that region. In order to keep from doing this, you might try an exercise called a hip flexor stretch.
Lungs
Whether sitting or standing, as long as you're doing so in "tall mode" you're actually allowing more room for your lungs to expand. In poor posture mode, your lungs are more likely to compress. In the long run, you could develop difficulty breathing normally. A simple exercise to do is to literally push out your pecs, by standing up straight, arms by your side, and moving them in a backward motion. Try doing these for at least 10 reps of three.
Additional benefits of good posture include improved digestion and circulation, reduced temporomandibular joint pain, taller look, self-confidence, and better form during exercise.
If you're looking to take advantage of posture in your own life and improve your standing -- literally -- in health, take advantage of the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic. Drop in anytime -- no appointment is required -- not only for an adjustment that allows you to stand up straight, but advice on how best to achieve the posture you need for your best health.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Dallas, Tex.