Your posture has a profound effect on all the different parts and functioning of the body. Good posture is so much more than a straight back. However, a good posture is certainly characterized by having a straight spine, where the muscles surrounding the spine are stable and can support the weight of the entire body equally. Your body is upright but not stiff, whereby you are still able to move freely.
For some people, years of bad posture can make it difficult to correct. They may not even be aware that they have a permanent slouch. The good news is that there are several ways to improve an incorrect posture, and we will discuss that shortly.
First, let’s take a look at how improving posture can address certain health issues and make you feel a whole lot better.
Address Chronic Back Pain
Bad posture puts unnecessary pressure on your lower back. Prolonged slouching stresses the spine, which causes chronic back pain. An incorrect posture also causes intervertebral discs, ligaments, and muscles in the back to become painful, as they are not properly aligned. In many cases, chronic back pain can be reduced or alleviated by correcting a bad posture.
Lessen Headaches
If you often experience headaches that don’t seem to go away, it could be because of your slouching. Incorrect posture can also lead to tension headaches, as neck muscles, especially the ones at the back of the neck, become strained which then leads to headaches. When posture is corrected, there is less strain and pressure on the neck, and headaches can be lessened.
Lessen Muscle and Joint Tension
Improper alignment due to bad posture can cause muscle and joint pains, especially on the shoulders and the neck. When our heads are overextended due to bad posture, our neck, shoulders, and upper back become strained, causing unnecessary muscle and joint tension.
This strain on the muscles can result in fatigue, as these muscle groups are not being used the way they are supposed to be used. This can also lead to early degeneration of certain muscles due to misuse.
Improve Digestion and Circulation
Slouching can compress vital organs like the heart, lungs, and intestines. If organs are compressed, they don’t get to work properly and can lead to decreased blood and air circulation and even problems with digestion. In order for blood to properly circulate throughout the body, there should be an alignment of the spine. The same goes for oxygen. Air intake can be compromised because of poor posture.
Strengthens the Core
Having a strong core is important in keeping our balance. The core helps stabilize the entire body, and a bad posture can lead to a weak core. If our core is weak, we may have problems with balancing and can be more prone to accidents.
How to Improve Your Posture
Did your mother or grandmother ever put a book on your head to make you stand straight? It can certainly help you stand tall, but you can’t have a book balanced on your head all day. However, there are other effective ways to practice standing up tall.
Here’s how:
1. Catch yourself slouching and be aware of your posture.
2. Avoid slumping on your desk.
3. Beware of the “text neck” or the overextension of the neck.
4. Adjust your desk chair to accommodate a good alignment.
5. Do some exercises to correct your posture, such as the bridge, the plank, back extensions, and thigh stretches.
Posture affects different parts of the body, but because it occurs over time, won’t notice the effects until they are ingrained. Bad posture can lead to muscle pains, aches, and can even affect the performance of different internal organs. Being aware of our stance is the first step to better posture. It is easy to get comfortable with slouching, but if we are aware of our posture, we can start to correct it right away.
As you can see exercise can help in improving our posture. Good posture brings many benefits, and correcting poor posture is a great way towards better health for the rest of your life.