by Amber White •
ChiroHealthUSA Social Media Specialist
Maintaining correct posture affects your health in many ways. It is just as crucial to your wellbeing as a healthy diet and exercise. Correct posture ensures that your bones are properly aligned with the rest of your body and tension in your muscles and ligaments are accurately distributed. Maintaining good posture helps keep your body parts in their correct positions with minimal stress. Posture is known by many as the core pillar to your overall physical health.
Good Posture Improves Lower Back Pain
Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide according to the Global Burden of Disease 2010. Slouched positions for long periods tend to add stressors on your lower back or, more specifically, the spine’s posterior structure. You can avoid these stressors by moving around every 20 to 30 minutes during your day and practicing core-strengthening techniques such as engaging your abdominal and upper back muscles and stretching your chest. Although you probably won’t experience an immediate reduction in low back pain, gradually, you will notice improvement.
Good Posture Reduces Tension in Your Shoulders and Neck
Your shoulders and neck have the challenging task of holding your head upright every day. And, unfortunately for your neck, the human head weighs an average of about 10 to 12 pounds that are balanced on just seven vertebrae in the neck. A forward head position also puts strain on your back, shoulder, and neck muscles. With these stressors and additional weight, it is important to practice proper posture to stay in correct alignment. Proper alignment helps ease the stress placed on joints and ligaments and the possibility of chronic overuse.
Good Posture Increases Lung Capacity
Simply put, good posture improves your breathing. When you slouch, you are compressing your lungs. When you sit or stand taller, your lungs have more space to expand allowing for the relaxed inhaling and exhaling of air. So remember, stand tall so you can breathe easily without issue.
Good Posture Boosts Self Confidence
Standing straight can not only improve energy levels and reduce lower back pain, it can also boost your self-esteem. We have all heard that a person who stands upright appears to have an air of confidence and sureness about themselves. You can begin feeling more confident today just by merely paying attention to your posture. Make sure to stand or sit with a neutral spine and shoulders back when you enter a room or sit down for a meal.
Source:
www.thepysiocompany.com
www.healthline.com
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