Get Your Posture in Check!

By Donna Stark

There are so many reasons why we need to pay attention to our posture that I could literally take hours out of your day to go over all of them. But I know you are busy, and quite frankly, you have probably already heard many of them from your mother -- or other very well-intentioned people -- as you were growing up. Good posture is one of those things that when we are reminded, we instantly make the changes to correct the issue, but then after a few minutes or so, our body subconsciously goes back to what it knows best and we end up back where we started.

A Daily Reminder

The advice that was given to you as a child definitely had merit, but it's pretty impossible to tuck your mother into a bag and carry her around every day now that you are an adult. She is not going to be standing behind you, tapping on your shoulders, and reminding you to change your position. You are on your own now, so you may need to bump up your level of focus, which means you may need to (gasp!) actually start sounding like your mom did when you were young.

Here are some useful questions that you should be asking yourself at different points throughout the day. And as a great reminder, you can copy and tape them to your computer, your phone, or even the dashboard of your car ... just place them anywhere that you think would help. Or, place them anywhere that you can imagine your mom scolding you. Take a look.

• Are both feet flat on the floor?
• Are your knees at a 90-degree angle?
• Are you sitting up and pressed against the backrest of your chair?
• Does the chair fit into and support the natural curves of your spine?
• Are you providing your back with enough lumbar support? And if not, do you have a plan to fix that?
• Are you slouching or slumping forward? Do you have your shoulders pulled back?
• Are you equally distributing your body weight across both hips?
• Is all of your computer equipment properly placed so that your head, wrists, and eyes are in a neutral position?

If you answered "No" to any of the questions above, you're probably adding unnecessary stress to your spine and it may be time to start making some changes!

Scold Yourself

It shouldn't take too long before you begin to notice changes in how you feel once you establish healthier habits in regards to your posture. So start today! With just a little bit of effort, and perhaps some channeling of those loved ones in your past, your posture may soon be the envy of everyone around you!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lubbock, Tex.