Good Posture Guide
Who has never been told to sit up straight before? We all have been, especially those who grew up around strict grandparents. But no matter how strict-military that sounds, don’t dismiss that right away because they’re just looking after you. Besides if you follow them, you’re the one to gain not them.
How? Aside from looking self-assured and confident, exercising proper posture, whether you’re standing or sitting, can prevent the irritating back pain.
However, although this knowledge is already commonplace, most people either don’t take it seriously or are having a hard time to get used to good posture. Sometimes, they don’t even realize that they are slouching because they do it all the time.
Making good posture a habit cannot be achieved in one go, but we have to discipline ourselves as early as we can not to further damage our backs.
Whenever we sit or stand, our backs takes a lot of pressure, that’s why the neck, upper back, and lower back have to be aligned all the time to avoid straining both the muscles and joints which could lead to injury.
Bad posture and even everyday tasks like carrying groceries can make you more susceptible to injuries. Because such things can narrow the space between vertebrae causing compressed nerves and increase wear on joint surfaces that develops conditions like osteoarthritis.
Aside from sitting and standing, you also have to maintain good posture when moving around, you’ll know you have poor posture when you have rounded shoulders, protruding buttocks and abdomen, overly arched lower back, and head pushed forward in an exaggerated position.
Once you start experiencing neck and back pain, go and consult a doctor. He will evaluate you and refer you to a physical therapist or spine specialist like chiropractors depending on his evaluation.
</blockquote style =”color: #e56464″> But you can also assess yourself before you go. Here’s how:
- A straight vertical line should be formed when you connect imaginary dots starting at the front of your earlobe and shoulder, at the center of your hip, just behind your kneecap, and just in front of your ankle.
- Pay attention to your back curves. A mild inward curve behind your neck and lower back should be there while there should be a slight outward curve at your upper back.
- Your chin has to be thrust forward but normally paralleled to the floor.
- Sit in a straight armless chair. The three natural curves mentioned above has to be obvious while a straight vertical line from the earlobe to hip should be maintained.
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