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More than 31 million Americans suffer from poor posture, which means that millions of them also suffer from back and neck pain, spinal problems and other painful issues. In order to prevent (or stop) these problems, you need to fix your posture. A certified body mechanic can help. Here is a look at why good posture is important, and how you can stand, sit, and walk straighter for better health.
The Importance of Good Posture
The way you hold yourself has a tangible impact on your health. Here are some of the benefits that sound posture can have on your quality of life:
Pain Prevention
Good posture keeps your spine and muscles in the right alignment. As a result, it prevents neck, back and shoulder pain caused by misalignment in the spine and muscles, strained muscles, and even injury caused by overuse of over-stressed muscles.
Breathing Support
When you stand straight and tall, your body is able to fully expand the lungs with each breath. As you fully expand your lungs, you can take deeper breaths and absorb higher levels of oxygen. This improved oxygen intake can provide you with greater energy and improve the delivery of nutrients to your body.
Improved Self-Confidence
Poor posture can leave you with rounded shoulders and a stooped appearance. Good posture, on the other hand, can communicate strength and professionalism to those around you. It can also give you a greater sense of self-confidence. Holding yourself appropriately can therefore help you enjoy greater physical and emotional health.
Healthy Digestion
Finally, good posture can improve your overall digestive health. When your posture is poor, you can inadvertently be compressing your organs, making it more difficult for them to work properly. When you have good posture, however, your organs have room to work efficiently, reducing gas, bloating and other digestive issues.
Causes of Poor Posture
Poor posture is extremely common due to a number of factors that affect most individuals in the United States. Here is a look at some of the common lifestyle habits that can damage your posture.
Sedentary Lifestyle
A lifestyle marked by inactivity can negatively influence how you hold yourself. In particular, the frequency of office jobs, and remote work, lead many individuals to spend hours sitting at a desk or table or in front of a computer screen. This inactivity can lead to weakened muscles, rounded shoulders and poorer posture.
Excessive Screen Time
The ubiquitous nature of screens such as mobile phones and smartwatches, encourages people to look down for much of the day. This constant action can strain your neck and lead to issues such as neck pain, headaches, difficulty breathing, and more.
Insufficient Exercise
If you do not get enough exercise throughout your weak, certain muscles may weaken. Others may experience strain as the result of taking over for the weakened muscles. As a result, it may become difficult to hold your body in an appropriate posture.
Poor Work Setup
The work from home revolution has led many individuals to embrace inadequate office setups at home. Some people even work from a kitchen table or dining room chair, which cannot provide adequate support to the back and shoulders. Even offices may provide their workers with chairs, desks and computers that force them to slouch as they work.
How Posture Correction Therapy Can Help
If you suffer from poor posture, there is a way to get your body back into alignment again: Posture correction therapy. This approach uses exercises to gently address the cause of your poor posture and retrain your body to be straight and strong. Here are some important steps in posture correction therapy in Santa Monica:
Postural Assessment
During your postural assessment, your provider will evaluate your posture, identifying any spinal misalignment or issues that make it difficult to hold yourself properly.
Customized Treatment Approach
There are many approaches that can help you regain your posture. For example, strengthening exercises can improve the function of your muscles and improve their ability to hold your body in alignment. Stretching exercises can improve the flexibility and length of your muscles so they work more effectively. Your provider can help identify the approaches that will best work for your situation in order to ensure the fastest and most effective improvement for your posture.
Ergonomic Support
If lifestyle habits are affecting your posture, your provider can help you implement new habits that improve your posture. For example, they may be able to direct you toward footwear that supports your posture. They may offer you advice for creating a more ergonomic office set up. Or they may be able to help you find better furniture to support your sitting, sleeping and relaxation.
If you want to address your posture, trust yourself to an experienced body mechanic like Dr. Roy Nissim. Our commitment to finding the cause and treating the problem can help you regain your posture, and the good health that comes with it. Let us build you back up so you can crush your goals and help you enjoy total wellness.
