Proper Posture to Prevent Pain
Of all the bad habits out there, you may think poor posture mainly affects your appearance, and doesn’t make much difference overall. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Your posture has a major effect on your overall health and functioning.
Most people know that a sedentary lifestyle can lead to poor posture, but proper posture is important for everyone. Even the highest level athletes cannot feel their best or achieve results without proper posture.
Poor posture can lead to:
- Headaches and migraines
- Neck and back pain
- Poor balance and walking difficulties
- Lowered endurance
- Poor athletic performance
- Digestion problems
A majority of issues with posture are due to weakness, which can come in a variety of forms. This is why many people find it harder to maintain proper posture as they age. A cycle can develop where weakness leads to poor posture and poor posture can lead to further weakness, so it’s important to address posture issues early and help build strength in key areas.
A few tips to help improve your posture:
- Walking daily is one of the simplest things you can do to maintain better posture and avoid a sedentary lifestyle
- Be conscious of your breathing throughout the day. Taking deep breaths can help mobilize your spine
- Focus on exercises and activities that target your core and mid-back muscles. These muscles are often the main culprit of weak posture
- Evaluate your sleep posture – put a pillow between your knees and try to sleep as flat as possible, preferable with only one pillow supporting your head
- Have your workspace evaluated for proper ergonomics
- Avoid spending too much time on soft surfaces like a couch, recliner or bed (aside from sleeping), as these surfaces make it difficult to maintain proper posture
If you are struggling to maintain proper posture and feel it is causing chronic pain, a physical therapist can help you identify key treatment areas and give you a customized plan for improvement. Physical therapists are experts when it comes to posture and the mechanics of movement in your body, and can help you design a lifestyle that contributes to your best posture and functioning. Contact a clinic near you to request a free 15-minute screening to have your posture evaluated.