Poor posture can lead to several health problems, including digestive issues and chronic back pain. This guide will explain exactly why it’s so essential to maintain good posture. We’ll also give you five ways in which a chiropractor can help you sit and stand straighter in your everyday activities at home and work.
What Does Having Good Posture or Poor Posture Mean?
You can probably tell as soon as you look at someone if they have good or poor posture. But what exactly is the meaning of ‘posture’?
People with good posture sit and stand with a straight back, their head held tall, looking forward. Their shoulders are back and down with relaxed arms.
People with poor posture have an upper back that slumps over, creating the appearance of a hump or hunchback. In addition, they tend to stand with their head facing down, looking at the ground in front of them or leaning to one side, while their shoulders are rounded forward and hunched up around their ears.
Improving your posture can instantly make you look more confident and even make you feel more confident. Adopting a ‘power pose‘, which is an open stance (think superhero!), has been shown to increase testosterone and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.
The Positive Health Benefits of Good Posture
So, sitting up straight is essential for looking professional and commanding attention in a meeting, but did you know that it’s also crucial for your health?
Maintaining good posture is one of the simplest things you can do to improve your health and well-being. When you have good posture, it helps your body work more efficiently.
Short-term health benefits of good posture:
- Deeper breathing: Your lungs are fully open so that they can get the most oxygen possible. You also breathe more efficiently when breathing from the diaphragm rather than shallow breaths taken in through the chest only.
- Increased energy levels: Poor posture can lead to fatigue because it reduces blood flow through the body. When your posture is correct and your muscles are working efficiently, they tire less quickly.
- Better digestion: When you have good posture, your stomach and intestines are in the correct position to function optimally.
Long-term health benefits of good posture:
- Decreased back, neck and shoulder pain: Bad posture can cause long-term issues with your muscles. It’s very easy to sit hunched up in front of a computer for hours at a time, putting strain on the shoulders and lower back.
- Improved circulation: Poor circulation can lead to swollen ankles, varicose veins and even blood clots. Good posture helps the body to circulate blood more efficiently.
- Reduced stress levels: People who have poor posture often hold their body in a stressed position. This can increase tension in the muscles and cause headaches, back pain or even digestive issues.
Common Causes of Poor Posture
There are many reasons why people develop poor posture, but some of the most common causes are:
- Sitting for long periods in front of a computer or driving: When you’re sitting down, your muscles and ligaments naturally relax. This can cause the spine to curve forward and the shoulders to slump.
- Wearing high heels: High heels tip the body off balance and put extra strain on the muscles and ligaments in the feet, ankles and lower back.
- Poor sleeping positions: If you sleep with a hunched up body or tuck yourself into bed at night curled up around a pillow, this can cause problems with posture too.
5 Chiropractic Techniques for Posture Correction
Visiting a chiropractor can help you to improve your posture in several ways:
- Straightening the spine: A chiropractic adjustment can help correct any biomechanical imbalances in your spine.
- Working on muscle imbalances: If you have overworked or underworked muscles, a chiropractor may prescribe specific exercises for posture. They might also provide manual therapy with massage or stretching techniques.
- Correcting bad habits: If you have developed poor posture habits over time, a chiropractor can help to retrain your muscles and teach you the correct way to stand or sit.
- Reducing stress levels: Chiropractic care can help to reduce tension in the muscles and encourage a more relaxed state of mind.
- Providing advice on ergonomics: A chiropractor can give you tailored advice on setting up your workstation or car seat to help you maintain good posture when sitting. They can also help you choose a pillow and mattress to help you achieve a good sleeping posture.
Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment
There are many benefits of chiropractic treatment for your posture. These include:
- Pain relief from muscle problems or injuries can help you recover more quickly and have less pain during daily activities.
- Reducing stress levels, headaches, and fatigue means feeling happier and healthier and sleeping better at night.
- Improved circulation and digestion from improved posture can mean that you have more energy when getting up in the morning or doing your daily activities.
- Long-term improvements from lifestyle changes will help you maintain good posture and benefit from the positive effects on your health for many years into the future.
Our Chiro Chiropractor Brisbane offers chiropractic and musculoskeletal services that are essential to your physical wellbeing. Whether you are experiencing chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or need low-impact ways to improve your posture and fitness, we are here for you.
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