Chiropractors Want To Monitor Your Posture For This Reason

By Stepy Kamei

You've more than likely heard at some point that it's important to keep up good posture, but do you know exactly why this is the case? Maintaining proper posture is about much more than simply being polite or having good manners. When it comes down to it, the way you carry yourself can have a major impact on your physical and mental sense of well-being. Scientific studies are beginning to show a correlation between poor posture and health issues such as weight gain, insomnia, and even depression. This is information that chiropractors have been on to for some time now, which is why chiropractic care should be viewed as an important part of any person's healthcare plan.

Good Posture Means Healthy Living

Studies have found that people who tend to slouch or slump while standing, sitting, or even walking often experience a wide range of health conditions, which can be mild to severe in nature. Many concerns you deal with regularly -- headaches, muscle stiffness, infections -- may actually be indirectly impacted by your posture, and the overall health of your spinal column. 

The spine keeps the entire body in alignment and balance. It also houses the central nervous system and protects it so it can facilitate proper communication between the body and the brain. Slouching and hunching over can degrade the health of the spine over time, causing added pressure and tension which can end up harming the central nervous system as a result. If this vital communication pathway is interrupted, other functions of the body may begin to have trouble working correctly, leading to inflammation, digestive issues, and more. 

How To Keep Good Posture Throughout the Day

To avoid these issues, you'll want to focus on maintaining proper posture as often as you can. You can start by performing this simple test to see the current state of your posture: Stand with your back and feet against a wall. A person with good posture will feel their buttocks, shoulder blades, and head naturally resting against the wall without any effort. If any other part of the body is touching the wall, or if you need to force your body into an unnatural position to achieve this result, you need to improve your posture. Simply remind yourself throughout the day to keep your shoulders rolled back, your head held high, and your spine as straight as it can be. Set alarms to remind you to do a body scan every few hours or so to correct any poor posturing. Over time, you may notice an improvement in your overall health.