Gone are the days of being taught how to walk with a book on our heads! Nowadays, the effect of our posture is often overlooked, but it continues to play a crucial role in our health and wellbeing.
Here, we explain:
- What posture is
- How your posture can affect your health
- How Chiropractic care can help to improve your posture through specific exercises and adjustments.
What is Posture?
‘Posture’ refers to the position of your body in an automatic and unconscious response to counteract the force of gravity. It is maintained by the interaction of your nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems, along with information from your visual, balance, and sensory systems.
Your posture impacts your stability, energy usage, and the stress on your joints, muscles, and ligaments. Good posture distributes body weight evenly, while poor posture can lead to chronic health conditions and pain.
Good Posture vs. Bad Posture
Correct posture refers to the natural alignment of the body, where weight is evenly distributed across your skeletal framework. It ensures that your body weight and gravitational force are carried properly, and the stress on your joints, muscles, and ligaments is minimised.
Good posture is characterized by:
- Three curves in the spine when viewed from the side.
- A straight line from the ear to the shoulder to the hip to the ankle when viewed from the front.
- Balanced shoulders and hips when viewed from the back
Good posture also enhances sports performance, contributes to a healthier appearance, boosts confidence, and can prevent injuries from overstretched or strained muscles and ligaments.
Bad posture occurs when your body is misaligned and can lead to excessive stress and strain on certain parts of your body. Poor habits, such as sitting, standing, or lying with incorrect posture can result in long-lasting changes in the body, including muscle wastage, reduced muscle strength, and improper functioning of your nervous system.
Signs and Symptoms of Bad Posture are:
- Back pain
- Muscle fatigue
- Rounded shoulders
- Neck pain, Headaches, Migraines
- Tilted Neck
- Developing a hump at the bottom of your neck / upper part of your back
- Random aches and pains in your joints and muscles
- Developing a potbelly
- Having a head that hangs or juts forward
Specific posture problems, such as “text neck” (forward neck and head posture), Hyperkyphosis, Dowager’s Hump, flat back, and swayback, can further affect your spinal health and emotional well-being.
The Relationship Between Posture and Health
Your posture has a significant impact on your overall health and wellbeing. Research has shown that maintaining an upright, correct posture improves resilience and helps people to cope better when faced with physical and emotional stress. Good posture is also associated with increased self-esteem, improved mood, and reduced fear, all of which show its positive effects on your mental and emotional well-being.
Poor posture, especially forward head posture, can lead to neck pain, headaches, breathing problems, and decreased self-esteem. The negative effects of poor posture extend beyond physical discomfort and can impact your mood, fear levels, and overall resilience.
Posture in Children and Teenagers
Addressing poor posture in children and teenagers is crucial to prevent long-term spinal issues and ensure a better quality of life in adulthood. Encouraging proper posture habits and seeking professional assistance, such as Chiropractic care, can help to maintain the spinal health of your child.
Chiropractic and Postural Health Issues
While many of our Connect Chiropractic patients are concerned about their posture, they are unsure how to fix it and alleviate the pain they experience. Chiropractors can provide valuable guidance and assistance in identifying postural imbalances and correcting posture-related problems through clinic-based spinal adjustments and home-based exercises to improve posture and reduce associated pain.
By understanding the significance of correct posture, cultivating good habits, and seeking professional help when needed, you can take proactive steps to improve not only your posture, but your emotional and physical health and wellbeing.
If you are concerned about your posture or wish to have your spine and posture checked, book a Chiropractic appointment on 03 9512 5882 or visit www.connectchiropractic.com.au
