You hear a lot about posture and how poor posture affects your body, but it can affect so much more than that. When our bodies don’t move or function as they should, they can not only become injured, but they can become inefficient, making us tired and unable to focus, among other things.
We’re not here to say that great posture means no injuries or fatigue, but it will definitely help you fight against those things. And, as a bonus, it also contributes to your overall good health.
In this post, we discuss:
- Reasons posture is important
- Conditions and symptoms caused by poor posture
- How to ensure you use proper posture
- Chiropractic solutions to help with posture
- And more
Let’s jump to it…
Why Posture Matters
Whether you sit at a desk all day, stand in high heels for hours, or have a physical job that requires a lot of movement, you must pay attention to your posture. It’s incredibly easy to allow the shoulders to slump, to apply your body weight to one hip, and to be careless with your motions, putting the spine and neck at risk.
Correct posture supports a well-functioning body. When your posture is habitually compromised, it applies undue pressure to soft tissues, joints, and the spine, which can cause numerous discomforts, often in the neck and low back. It can also create chronic problems such as arthritis, sciatica, headaches, and much more.
Poor posture can also contribute to mental and emotional unrest, such as:
- The inability to concentrate (it’s hard to focus when you’re in discomfort)
- The inability to be productive
- The inability to perform at your best
- Mental stress and anxiety
- Inadequate sleep
With an improperly functioning body, you may miss out on important aspects of your lifestyle. But, with the right help, you can find yourself with a very easy fix.
What Happens to Your Body When You Have Poor Posture
The human body is designed to bear a lot of pressure. Most of us move daily, and even as we sit, the body takes on stress in targeted areas.
For those who don’t use correct posture, many dysfunctions, pains, and imbalances can arise.
Numerous conditions may occur due to your poor posture, including:
- Back pain and lumbar pain
- Neck pain
- Hip pain
- Inflammation
- Spinal dysfunctions
- Joint degeneration
- Shoulder tension
- And others
With these pain points, chronic conditions are common, so it’s important to learn how to sit and stand with intention, keeping your body safe.
Tips for good posture include:
- Don’t slouch or roll your shoulders forward while working at a desk
- Keep your back and spine straight (this includes the neck)
- Pay attention to your neck when texting or using a handheld device; too much looking down at it will strain the neck
- Wear appropriate shoes for your work and activities
- When standing, keep your weight evenly distributed on each leg
- Exercise and stretch regularly
- Use the correct pillow for sleeping (your neck should stay in line with your spine)
- Sit upright while driving your vehicle; leaning back too far can create back pain and put stress on your shoulders and neck
- Design an ergonomic workstation
- Visit a chiropractor to ensure you have good form while sitting and standing
Chiropractic Care to Improve Your Posture
Working with your local chiropractor, you can learn whether poor posture is affecting you, get a treatment plan to encourage the body’s natural healing process so you can function better, and get insight into how to improve your posture going forward.
Chiropractic services are safe and effective for all kinds of people in every stage of life, and chiropractors work to keep aggressive methods and pain medication out of the healing strategy.
Common chiropractic solutions to help the body heal and strengthen include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- The Graston Technique
- Activator Technique
- Dry needling
- Laser therapy
- Myofascial release therapies
- Corrective exercises
- Lifestyle guidance
- And more
Visit Our San Antonio Chiropractic Clinic for Postural Support
We know your occupation and lifestyle need you to be as focused, productive, and efficient as possible, and those things require comfort. Good posture will allow your body to better support you so you can continue doing the things you enjoy.
Let our knowledgeable San Antonio chiropractor help you heal and recover and give you the tools to protect yourself as you work and play. Contact us to learn more, or book with us today.