Straighten Up

Good posture is the backbone of a healthy lifestyle. Not only does good posture improve how you look, it makes a huge difference in your overall health.

Here are a few reasons to straighten up:

  1. Reduce lower back pain: Sitting or standing in a slouched position for a long period of time can stress your lower back. It puts pressure on the posterior structures of the spine. Over time these stressors can affect your muscles, discs and joints causing back pain.
  1. Fewer headaches: Poor posture puts stress on your neck, which increases muscle tension. A common problem is a forward head posture. For each inch your neck bends past the neutral position, you create an extra 10 pounds of weight on the neck.
  1. Ease tension in your jaw, neck and shoulders: When we practice good posture, the joints and ligaments are less stressed and less subject to constant overuse. If you experience pain awhile talking, yawing or eating it could be caused by poor posture that puts stress on your jaw muscles. Focus on relaxing, loosening your jaw and practicing good posture can help alleviate this pain.
  1. Improve lung capacity, circulation and digestion: Poor posture can compress your vital organs. This can lead to poor circulation and makes it more difficult for your organs to work well. Good posture helps to maintain healthy blood flow. When you sit and stand taller, your lungs have more space to expand improving lung capacity.
  1. Appear taller and more confident: Not only does having good posture make you look taller and more confident, but it can also make you look slimmer.

Improving posture is as easy as listening to your body. Good posture should feel second nature. Make small adjustments while sitting or standing. Do what feels easiest and most graceful. Practice listening to your body.

Here are a few ways to improve your general posture:

  1. Know the Three Curves of the Spine. The Thoracic curve is the area between the neck and the abdominal muscles (abs). The Lumbar curve connects your abs and your lower body. The cervical curve is your neck. A balanced alignment of these three curves will help improve posture and long-term health.
  2. Stretch regularly. Performing stretching exercises several times week will help boost muscle flexibility.
  3. Exercise. Exercising regularly improves muscle strength and tone.
  4. Avoid standing on one foot for long periods of time. Cross your legs at the ankle, rather than the knee.
  5. Use ergonomic furniture if possible. Advances in design make it easier to create a healthier workstation. The key is to support your spine and take the load off your neck, back and other joints.

Good posture is within your reach by practicing some of the mindful examples provided here. The spine impacts so much of your overall health from headaches and back aches to circulation and digestion. For more information on back or spine issues contact our Spine Institute of Connecticut, Joint Commission Certified Spine Surgery Program at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury or the Minimally Invasive Spine Center at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.