Proper posture yields health benefits that can last a lifetime. It is a health enhancer that costs nothing to develop and can be easily maintained. In addition to sparing you chronic pain, good posture can improve your mood, reduce anxiety, and project a more confident image. Here are some posture pro tips that can help you get great posture.
You might think of posture as simply holding your head up straight and keeping shoulders up and back aligned when standing. But the position of your body when sitting or lying down is equally important.
Maintaining a neutral spine can reduce the incidence of back pain by ensuring proper alignment of bones and joints. Stress on ligaments will be lessened. Injuries will be less likely. Good posture will help prevent pain from overuse and muscle strain and minimize wear and tear on the joints.
Indications of bad posture are rounded or hunched shoulders, jutting forward of the head, rounding of the upper back, and arching of the lower back. If you experience pain with any of these positional signs then a chiropractor should be contacted.
How Chiropractors Help With Posture
The first step in improving posture is awareness of body position. Keeping your head, neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, legs, and feet as closely aligned as possible is a great start!
To make sure your posture is correct or to inquire about back and joint pain, schedule an appointment with your chiropractor.
Exercise Regularly
Chiropractors will always advise you to get moving and keep your body active! Maintaining good posture requires strong muscles. Exercise is necessary to keep your muscles strong and supple.
If you have not been exercising regularly, you can start slow with some toe-touching exercises and sit-ups. This will increase the strength and flexibility of the muscles in the spinal area.
Your chiropractor can show you pictures and diagrams of skeletal muscles to help you better understand posture. Then inquire about your chiropractor’s alignment therapy and follow up adjustments that they offer.
Once a treatment program is underway, having stronger muscles as a result of regular exercise can make treatments more successful.
If you are not sure where to start, ask your chiropractor to help you design an exercise routine. This will enhance their chiropractic treatments and help you maximize your body’s strength and alignment.
Check out our article about how to strengthen your back.
Routine Body Carriage
In addition to a good exercise routine, you should pay attention to how you stand, walk, sit, and lie in bed. Pushing your shoulders back may be a habit you have developed, but you can easily forget when bending over your tablet, smartphone, or other electronic devices.
When using your computer, make sure your hands are positioned above the keyboard to promote good spinal alignment. Keep your feet flat on the floor, or use a footrest to avoid excess strain on the legs and spinal muscles.
See your Santa Fe chiropractor at Pro-Active Chiropractic regularly for check-ups and needed adjustments to ensure a strong, healthy spine for life!