Poor Posture Can Cause Problems with More than the Back

Posture – the way you hold your body – is important to more than just parents trying to keep their children from slouching. 

Posture is affected by how you sit, stand, and lie down. When your posture is good, your vertebrae (spine bones) are aligned well, according to the Harvard University’s Harvard Medical School (HMS).

Your spine should have a natural curve to it, without having slouched shoulders or shoulders pushed back too far, according to HMS.

Having good posture, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) can help:

• decrease wearing-away of joint surfaces
• keep bone and joints aligned correctly so muscles can be used in the correct way
• maintain good breathing
• prevent muscle strain
• reduce stress on ligaments

When your posture is bad, according to the NIH, it can have negative effects on your body, including:

• added stress
• back pain 
• constipation
• low energy 
• poor circulation 
• muscle strain
• neck pain

The good news is that there are ways you can work to correct your posture, and it’s never too late to get started. The NIH recommends improving your posture by doing the following:

• ask your doctor to create a stretching routine that will specifically help you
• massage your back by rolling two tennis balls that have been taped together up and down a wall
• start doing yoga and Pilates exercises
• “think tall” and extend your body 
• try to keep all four corners of your feet on the floor

In addition, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends using everyday activities – including sitting, sleeping, standing, walking, and bending – as an opportunity to correct posture. 

For more information about good posture, talk with your doctor or visit Premier Health to find a physician.