No More Slouching, Says the Chiropractor
By Brandi Goodman
Your spine is more impacted than you know when you slouch. Chronic back pain is incredibly common when you're known to slouch regularly and fail to maintain proper posture. Follow some chiropractic tips to prevent hunching and keep your spine safe.
Sleep With Your Spine in Mind
When it comes to sleep, lots of people lay in improper positions. You may not be slouching per se, but you could find yourself sleeping on your stomach and putting your spine out of alignment. Sleeping on your side with a knee up can also have a detrimental effect. A chiropractor suggests using a chiropractic pillow that supports your neck and shoulders well and helps you maintain a back sleeping position that is easier on the spine.
Strengthen Your Spine With Exercise
A weak spine can make it easy to slouch and exhibit poor posture. Strengthen your spine with exercise and see how well your posture improves. With a strong core and back, you'll be much more likely to maintain an upright position and keep your spine from aching. The bridge is one of the easiest exercises that targets these areas at once. Lay on your back and raise your hips in the air, keeping your feet planted firmly on the floor. Hold for a few seconds before lowering your body and repeating the move again.
Keep Your Head Held High
Much of the posture problem today stems from cellphones and similar devices. If you're spending even a few minutes with your head tilted downward as you're looking at a screen, you're causing harm to your spine. Keep your head held high at all times and make sure you bring screens to your eye level. This can help prevent the dreaded "tech neck" that is plaguing so many people today.
Sit Upright on the Couch
Too many people allow themselves to slouch down or hunch over as they're sitting on the couch watching television. Doing so can throw your spine off and lead to pain in the long run. Sit upright when you're on the couch so you can keep your spine straight and your posture proper. You may need to place a pillow behind you for the position to be comfortable and keep your lower back supported.
Slouching, sitting hunched over, sleeping in poor positions, and failing to exhibit proper posture can all lead to serious spinal struggles. You need to follow the advice of your chiropractor and learn how to sit upright and keep your spine in mind at all times. Stop at The Joint Chiropractic for an adjustment to ensure your body is able to begin making these posture changes for improved well-being.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mission, Tex.