Spring Into Good Posture

Do you recall seeing clips from old shows and movies with girls walking with books on their heads to improve their posture? Though you don’t hear as much about the importance of posture these days, it does make a bigger difference than many people may think. Read on as a local Savage, MN  chiropractor delves into the do’s, don’ts, and importance of good posture.

What Causes Bad Posture?

It’s easy to slip into bad posture, simply by forgetting not to. However, there are actually many reasons for poor posture aside from not remembering to sit up straight. In some cases, it may be caused by weak muscles. Improper work station setups can contribute to the issue, as can carrying heavy bags or purses. Other possible causes include obesity, genetics, injuries, stiffness, repetitive motion, fatigue, and spending too much time on a phone, computer, or workstation.

What Are The Effects Of Bad Posture?

Poor posture is often thought of as a simple aesthetics issue, but there are some very tangible physical ramifications associated with it.

Here are a few of the key ones:

• Neck and back pain
• Stiff muscles
• Heartburn
• Digestive Issues
• Stress Incontinence
• Increased risk of falls/injuries

What Are The Benefits Of Good Posture?

Your posture can have a pretty drastic effect on your overall appearance, but it’s far from a simple matter of aesthetics. Your posture actually affects many aspects of your health and well-being.

Here are some of the benefits of good posture:

Mood Boost: You may have heard the term ‘Fake it til you make it’ at some point or another. That definitely applies here. Even if you are feeling down, standing up straight can help you appear more confident, which will in turn make you feel more confident.

Bone/Joint Health: If your posture and/or stance is out of alignment, it will put additional strain on your bones and joints. Your body will have to work a little bit harder to do, well, everything, from breathing to walking to pumping blood.

Breath Of Fresh Air: Standing up straight also eases the tension on your diaphragm, which helps control and regulate your breathing.

Reduced Headaches: Did you know that bad posture can cause shoulder tension? It can also interfere with circulation. Both of these things can cause or contribute to headache pain.

Stronger Core: Good posture relies on abdominal strength, which in turn also helps with stability, balance, and range of motion.

Improved Range Of Motion: Over time, improper posture can lead to imbalances in your muscles. It can also cause stiffness. Good posture helps maximize your natural range of motion.

Reduced Risk Of Injury: Poor posture can cause injuries in several ways. Improper lifting, for instance, is a common cause of back injuries. For equestrians, poor posture can severely impede riding skills, and may also increase the risk of falls.

How Do I Improve My Posture?

Realizing the difference that bad posture can make can be quite eye opening. Of course, posture is one of those things that is quite easy to overlook, especially given that sometimes bad posture is, well, kind of comfortable.

Here are our key tips:

Sit Up Straight 

Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. Just remind yourself to stand up straight! A quick way to self-check your posture? Imagine your ears being in line with the middle of your shoulders. You should feel as though your head is being pulled up into the sky. Imagine yourself as a marionette doll, with someone pulling the strings to straighten you out.

Avoid The Desk Slump

These days, many people are spending the majority of their time at computer desks. It’s easy to lean back a bit, or move your feet to an angle that may be comfortable, but isn’t exactly proper.

Good ergonomics can go a long way here. Your computer screen should be just about arms’ length away from your eyes, and your feet should be flat against the floor.  

Revisit Your Sleeping Position

Recent studies have revealed quite a bit about the way that sleep posture can affect your health. Sleep hygiene really does matter! For instance, sleeping on your right side can make heartburn worse.

Make sure that you are getting good shut-eye. You’ll want a mattress that is firm enough to support the natural curve of your spine. If you sleep on your side, bend your knees a bit to help elongate your spine. If you sleep on your back, use a pillow that provides support under the neck.

Unplug (And Unwind)

The average smartphone user now spends about 3 hours and 45 minutes on their phones every day. That translates to about 3 hours and 45 minutes staring down at one spot. That puts quite a bit of strain on the neck. Remember to give yourself regular screen breaks. Or, better yet, try to make an effort to unplug a bit.

Drive It Home

Modern cars offer many more options for car seat configurations than their predecessors did. Getting your car seat adjusted just right can take a bit of time, and a little trial and error, with many small tweaks happening before you find the ideal setup. Keep good posture in mind. It may be comfortable to sit back, but over time that slouchy position can add strain to your bones. It may also make it harder to twist and turn, which is of course needed for checking traffic in other lanes.

Sensible Shoes

High heels, stilettos, and even some of those clunky 90’s shoes may look great, but they aren’t necessarily great for your spine. There’s nothing wrong with sporting great shoes once in a while, but for everyday purposes, it’s better to stick with something that offers support.

Don’t Skip Ab Day

Extra pounds around the waist have been linked to several health issues. They can also be detrimental for your posture. You don’t have to go for brutally hard workouts to tone up your midsection. Gentler exercises, such as pilates, tai chi, and yoga, can all help. You’ll also have a flatter stomach, more core strength, and better balance! 

How Does Chiropractic Care Help Posture?

Chiropractic treatment is focused on realigning the spine, so it only stands to reason that it would be beneficial for posture. Chiropractic treatment can  help  here in many ways.

Reduce Muscle Imbalances: Spinal subluxations can lead to or worsen muscle imbalances, which can then cause issues with posture. Chiropractic treatment addresses those imbalances.

Improved Healing: Chiropractic treatments can help speed recovery from accidents and injuries. This can help reduce the time that a patient is out of alignment as they recover.

Suggestions: Your Savage, MN chiropractor will be able to give you customized tips on how to improve your posture. This may entail things like stretches and exercises.

Ergonomic Tips: Ergonomics is a field of study that is concerned with ensuring that people utilize proper posture and positionings. This is key because it helps improve circulation, reduce pain, and prevent injuries such as carpal tunnel. Chiropractors can offer insight into setting up a good work station and following best practices.

Better Range Of Motion: Chiropractic treatments also help reduce stiffness, which will increase flexibility and improve range of motion. Both of these things help facilitate better posture.

Schedule A Consultation With Your Savage, MN Chiropractors

Are you suffering from neck or back pain? Have you been wondering whether chiropractic care is right for you? Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions about chiropractic, or to schedule a consultation. As your Savage, MN chiropractic care center, we are happy to help!