Do You Believe These Posture Myths
By Sara Butler
How many times did your mother or grandmother tell you to sit up straight and stop slouching? Probably quite a bit! It may be hard to come to terms with, but they were right. Posture is very important to your overall health and body mechanics and it’s something every single person should be aware of. Just as with a variety of other topics, there some ideas about posture that are nothing but pure myths. Here are just a few!
Good Posture is Difficult to Attain and Maintain
This one is not true for one simple reason: Good posture takes far less effort mechanically than poor posture does. If you’ve been practicing poor posture for a while it can be difficult at first to get back on track, but any habit can be broken with a little effort. Ask your chiropractor to help you come up with some strategies to overcome bad posture habits you may have adopted and little by little you will sit and stand straighter – and feel better too!
If You Have Strong Abs You’ll Have Better Posture
While it is true that strong muscles in your abdomen help to protect your lower back from sprain and strain, strong abs alone will not solve the problem of poor posture. The human body is about balance, and muscle balance is very important. If you have strong abs but a weak back, then you won’t be in balance. Strong abs combined with a strong back is going to be the best way to maintain a healthy posture.
The Recipe for Good Posture is Pushing the Shoulders Down and Back
When you push your shoulders down and back in order to correct your posture this is called an overcorrection. When you throw your shoulders back and keep them rigid and in place, you’re tensing your neck and actually causing your shoulder joints to destabilize. Not to mention, you’ll soon grow tired in this position – it’s not sustainable. Once you get your posture where it should be you’ll hold your shoulders in the right place without even trying.
A Sign of Good Posture is Standing Up Straight
Forcing your body into any position without any reference to your natural posture will only accomplish creating more tension in your entire body. Your spine is meant to be mobile and flexible, not a rigid pillar. Good posture means maintaining the natural curves of your spine.
Did any of these myths surprise you? If you have any questions about how to best maintain a healthy posture, talk to your chiropractor during your next adjustment at The Joint Chiropractic.