We all want good posture so that we stay looking attractive, but what many don’t know is that a straight and steady back helps maintain health, and not just when it comes to pain. Proper posture is of great importance to the various functions of the body and to our overall feeling, which stems, among other things, from its effect on normal blood flow in the body and from the reduction of pressure created on various nerve centers.
To make sure you understand the importance of proper posture, here is all the information you need to know about it, including a small test that will help you check the state of your posture and tips for maintaining proper posture in every situation.
Besides the fact that poor posture makes our bodies look less attractive, it also harms our health in a variety of ways that you may have never imagined. When we sit bent for long hours in front of a computer or stand wrong, we actually twist our spine, which can adversely affect blood flow to the neck area which leads to the head and brain. This disturbance can cause headaches, and at advanced ages, it can even put you at risk of a stroke. Our rib cage is also affected by this hunching and may put pressure on the heart and lungs, thus causing poor functioning of the three most important organs in our body - the brain, lungs, and heart.
In addition, poor posture causes the body to weaken and tire more quickly. The spinal vertebrae exert pressure on each other, a condition that not only causes pain but can also affect our muscles, bones, and joints and put pressure on them too, causing them to weaken faster over time. As a result, the entire body's range of motion may be reduced, and the risk of having a disc herniation increases significantly.
Although we’ve become accustomed to thinking that prolonged sitting is the main reason for poor posture and damage to the back structure, laziness and modern lifestyle are not the only ones to blame. Here are all the factors that affect the structure of your back and posture, and although some of them are not under our full control, most of them stem from choices we make in life:
1. Stand with your back against the wall while leaning your heads against it.
2. Place your heels 6 inches from the wall, while your buttocks and shoulder blades touch it.
3. Measure the space between your neck and the wall. If it is larger than 2 inches, this indicates that you suffer from poor posture and that your spine is curving.
There are a variety of ways you can maintain proper posture and even improve your condition if your posture is already impaired. One of the most effective ones, which is important for anyone sitting in front of the computer screen for long hours a day, is the series of exercises offered by Dr. Mike Brett – a chiropractor from Australia - which are supposed to "activate" the backbone nerves that create a hump. Click here to learn about three exercises that’ll fix your posture in just one month.
Beyond that, you can make a few small changes in the way you do things to maintain proper posture throughout the day and prevent further damage to your spine.
If you do the exercises mentioned above and adopt the recommended habits, you can improve your posture and prevent futures injuries or diseases that may attack. It may take some time to improve your posture, but once you realize how wonderful your body works and feels, you’ll certainly feel happier and healthier.
image source: John, SanDiego PersonalInjuryA