Sit up straight! Don’t slouch! How many times did you hear those words while growing up? As much as we hate to admit it sometimes, our moms were usually right. Poor posture doesn’t just give off a poor personal impression; it can actually affect your health and functioning.
Poor posture can affect you in numerous ways, contributing to problems such as headaches, back pain, jaw pain, poor digestion, and impaired circulation. And, as your mom repeatedly reminded you, slouching can be off-putting in both personal and professional settings.
Since May is Correct Your Posture Month, we wanted to share a few tips with you, to help you improve your posture and protect your health.
Stand up straight. Pretend you’re standing against a wall to be measured, just like when you were a kid. Your ears should be centered over your shoulders, your shoulders back, and your stomach tucked in. Straighten your knees and align your hips with shoulders.
Sit correctly. Sit all the way back in your office chair, with your knees at a 90-degree angle and feet flat on the floor. If your chair does not offer proper lumbar support, use a lumbar cushion or simply a rolled towel to support your lower back.
Be careful with screen time. Your computer screen should be positioned straight in front of you, so that you aren’t forced to tilt your neck down or up. The same goes for your smartphone; when using it, hold it at eye level. Looking down at your phone for hours per day can cause stiffness and soreness often called “text neck”.
Proper posture matters in the car, too. This is especially true if, like many people, you spend a considerable amount of time commuting each day. Your knees should be bent at hip level or above, and the steering wheel a comfortable distance from your body. Men in particular should avoid sitting on their wallets while driving (or any other time) because it throws the hips out of balance.
If you have concerns about alignment, or have experienced symptoms that might be related to poor posture, give us a call. Regular chiropractic care can treat pain and stiffness, and learn better habits to prevent recurrence of these symptoms in the future.