Benefits of Practicing Good Posture
By Madhusudhan Tammisetti
You can reap health benefits if you improve body posture. But what constitutes a good posture? Having a good posture means supporting your body in a symmetrical position, and the neck, spine, and lower back are in alignment whether you're in a sitting or standing position. Whatever you're doing, a good posture imposes less strain on your back.
Let's look at the advantages of maintaining a good posture.
Breathe Easier
Poor posture may compress and limit the efficiency of the stomach, lungs, intestines, and other vital organs. It may not be possible to breathe fully in a reclined position. In a reclining position, healthy muscles are ineffective in drawing the air. While sitting up straight, chest out, and shoulders back, you can take a deep breath, and practicing this position may improve your body posture. You can see the stark difference in ease of breathing when you're sitting up straight against slouching.
You'll Digest Food Better
Poor posture compresses your stomach and intestines. Peristalsis, a regular wave-like movement of the colon, moves broken-down food in small and large intestines. This movement comes from the diaphragm, and when you breathe, it drops into the abdominal cavity, hip, and back and all abdominal muscles contract as a response. This contraction and relaxation help facilitate peristalsis, and it can happen if the trunk is stretched and there's space to move rather than compressed.
When you sit in a bad position, the spine's unnatural curve causes the middle of the intestines to jam up through the thoracic cavity, and it impinges the nerve, which activates the diaphragm to drop with every breath.
You can overcome this problem with a straight back while in a sitting or standing position. Practicing good posture may improve digestion as the food goes into the stomach without any interruptions.
Good Posture Helps Burn Fat and Develop a Strong Core
You may not get six-pack abs with good posture but most probably strengthen the core muscles, which supports the body. Staying straight keeps the core muscles engaged that supports your spine. The body may use more calories as you maintain an upright position. Over time the core muscles become stronger and, without any effort, can maintain the alignment efficiently.
It's not just the core that'll benefit from maintaining a good posture. If you allow the big postural muscles, such as shoulder girdle, knees and ankles, and hip girdle, to engage while you walk throughout the day, you can burn more fat and simultaneously makes good posture inherent.
If you maintain a good posture, whether you're sitting or walking around, it may help you breathe easier and improve digestion. Good posture strengthens the core muscles and helps keep the postural muscles in alignment.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in The Woodlands, Tex.