How Does Your Posture Measure Up?
How much do you really know about proper posture? You probably know you should do it, but do you even know where to start or how poor posture can impact your whole body? Here’s everything you should know about posture that will make your chiropractor proud!
What About Poor Posture?
Poor posture impacts your whole body. It can even contribute to health issues like headaches, muscle fatigue, insomnia and neck and back pain. In fact, almost 80% of Americans suffer from some kind of back pain and lower back pain is the leading cause of disability in the world. All of this could be reduced by practicing poor posture.
Poor posture causes back pain because it causes your spine to be improperly aligned. Seeing your chiropractor is only one component that will keep you spine in line, you have to practice good posture too in order to take the pressure off your muscles and ligaments.
Signs of Poor Posture
So, how do you know if you have proper posture? Look for these signs:
- Your head or neck prods forward
- Slouched, hunched or rounded shoulders
- Arched lower back or curved spine
If you notice any of these signs and you suffer from back pain, which may be an indication that you have room for improvement when it comes to your posture.
How to Improve Your Posture
If you spend a lot of time sitting, as most people do a day, then you need to try and practice good posture in your chair. Make sure you sit with your back straight and your head level. Your shoulders should be relaxed and slightly back and your elbows should be held close to your body, bent between 90 and 120 degrees. Make sure your thighs and hips are parallel to the floor and your feet should be flat on the ground. Try to avoid crossing your legs.
When standing, your hips, shoulder and ears should all be a straight line. Your head should be straight with your chin tucked just a bit. Your shoulders should be back and aligned and your weight evenly distributed through your feet. Do not lock your knees, but keep them loose and slightly bent. It’s also really important to wear shoes that are supportive and that fit right.
If you have any questions about how to practice better posture, talk to your chiropractor. They can help you to know if you posture is good or if it could use some work!
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Florent Chretien