If you’ve experienced back pain, neck pain or headache pain recently, one of the causes may surprise you. Your posture. Poor posture can contribute to everything from injury to fatigue. Posture is more than ‘standing up straight’. Our posture affects the way we stand, sit, walk and move through life. Appropriate posture begins very early. Moshe Feldenkrais said ‘Through the first years of life, we organize our entire system in a direction which will forever after guide us in that direction’. However, it would appear that good posture faces challenges from every direction: overloaded backpacks, cell phones, texting, computers, heavy luggage. Additionally, as we age our tissue loses its elasticity, causing it to stiffen and tighten, limiting range of motion in joints, which can ultimately lead to decreased circulation. Become aware of your posture, and identify behaviors that need adjusting. It’s never too late to learn proper posture, so here are a few tips:
1. Become aware of how you sit and stand.
2. Avoid ‘slouching’ or hunching over’ at the computer or when watching television.
3. If you’re on the phone a lot, use a headset to avoid ‘cradling’ the phone between your head and shoulder.
4. Exercise and stretch to maintain strong and flexible tissue.
Remember, your environment may also be in need of change. This could mean changing the chair you sit in, raising or lowering counter height, or adjusting the weight of your handbag, backpack or tool belt. Adjusting posture can be as simple as becoming aware of yourself, and good posture is a simple and effective means of maintaining healthy tissue and avoiding pain and injury! Post a comment or two, and let me know your thoughts!
Let me add a few things. Be mindful of what you wear. Aside from the belts, tight and restrictive clothing, can affect our posture because it restricts our body’s natural movement. We should also watch what we eat. Don’t eat too much acidic food because it can decrease our body’s calcium levels.
ReplyDelete- Wendell Palmer
Thanks for the input! Valuable info. Enjoy reading!
DeleteBad posture can cause weakness, difficulty breathing, poor appearance, a weak immune system, and body pain. To avoid this, people must keep their body straight while sitting and standing, perform frequent movements, exercise daily and be aware of your posture.
ReplyDeleteDarlene Fanning
Also, avoid carrying very heavy items as they may badly affect your back and shoulders. Engage yourselves in exercises that could strengthen your back. Do simple stretches everyday or do physical activities like yoga, ballet, pilates, etc. If you feel like you have a really bad posture, or back problem, do consult a physical therapist or seek chiropractic treatment for assessment. Both can give you a professional advice and cure for your posture and your back.
ReplyDeleteAllie Bargas