Easy Ways to Improve Your Posture

Good posture is more important than many people realize. It reduces stress on your spine, muscles, and joints, improves respiratory function, and may even improve self-esteem. Posture is so important that many chiropractors routinely perform a postural assessment when examining patients. Your chiropractor is also your best source of guidance for improving your posture.

Avoid posture-damaging wardrobes

One simple way to improve your posture is to take a close look at your wardrobe. Women who frequently wear high heels have postural imbalances, since they cause the lower back to arch excessively. Carrying a heavy messenger-style bag or using just one shoulder strap of a backpack also unevenly distributes weight on the body.

Balance your standing posture

If you’ve ever taken a tai chi class, then the proper standing posture will be familiar to you. Experts recommend standing:

• With your knees slightly bent
• With your feet shoulder-width apart
• With most of your weight on the balls of the feet

Additionally, keep your shoulders pulled back, but still comfortable.

Be mindful of your seated posture

If you visit a chiropractor in search of neck pain relief, part of your problem might be habitually slouching forward while you sit. This is especially common for office workers, who may slouch forward to see a computer screen. You can avoid this by elevating your screen so that it’s just beneath the level of your eyes. Keep your keyboard in a lower position, so that you can keep your forearms parallel to the floor as you type without having to hunch your shoulders up.

Change positions frequently

Even when you do use proper posture, standing or sitting still for too long isn’t beneficial for your musculoskeletal system. Stretch and walk around periodically to ease muscle tension and get your blood pumping.

Sometimes, making postural corrections isn’t enough to bring back pain relief for patients in The Woodlands. A chiropractor can also perform spinal manipulations, spinal decompression, and physiotherapy treatments. You can request an appointment today by calling The Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers at 346-662-2091.