“I have terrible posture” is a quote that we hear quite often in our office. It seems that everybody can agree that bad posture is not good for your overall health, yet it is quite common to see. Poor posture can lead to a variety of health concerns over the years, so what can you do to improve yours?
How do I know if I have bad posture?
A perfect example of less-than-ideal posture.
Posture is the position in which you hold your body for an extended amount of time. Bad posture is then a position that you hold for extended amounts of time that can have detrimental effects on your physical health. This poor posture can result in certain muscles tightening or shortening while others lengthen and become weak. It can present differently in each individual depending on the position they are holding.
Some of the most common visual presentations are:
- Rounded shoulders
- Forward head posture
- Forward pelvic tilt
- Increased lumbar curve
- Hunchback
Symptoms of poor posture
There are a variety of symptoms that you may be experiencing due to extended time with poor posture. Again, these vary depending on your everyday habits.
- Spinal subluxations
- Headaches
- Lower back pain
- Muscle spasms
- Different aches and pains around the body
What can I do to help fix my posture?
- Take posture breaks. Most of us do the same thing for hours on end. Taking breaks and moving around is the best way to combat that posture. Pull your shoulders back, look up at the ceiling, and take a deep breath.
- Strengthen your core (more than just your abs)! The job of your these muscles is to hold your body upright using the muscles 360 degrees around your core. Performing spinal-friendly core strengthening exercises like planking, or BIRTHFIT’s Functional Progressions, can help improve your posture.
- Be aware. Find yourself in a bad posture? Correct it! Sit up straight, stand on both legs evenly, or look up from your technology. Maybe even improve your workspace so you’re not looking down.
- Break bad habits. It’ll take some time, but you can break from your bad habits with constant reminders and conscious awareness.
The first step in fixing your posture is to acknowledge and identify that you have poor posture throughout the day. Look for the signs listed above. Chances are you have bad posture at some point throughout your day. Identifying the posture you are in that may be causing your symptoms can be difficult, so talking to a professional trained in evaluating your posture may help.
Reach out today for a complimentary consultation to learn how you can improve your posture with chiropractic care! Schedule an appointment online here.