How chiropractic care can improve your posture

One rule of thumb is that for every inch that the head is held forward in poor posture, an additional 10 pounds of weight is felt on the cervical spine.So if the average head weighs between 10 and 12 pounds, just 1 or 2 inches of forward head posture can double or triple the load on the cervical spine.

You may have been told to “sit up straight” or “stop slouching” by your parents or professor at some point in your life. Or maybe you were instructed to balance a book on your head for good posture. There is some truth to this home remedy. While standing and sitting with poor posture is frowned upon because of how it looks, it negatively affects your health and functioning.

Poor posture forces unnecessary stress on your spine, leading to misalignments and subluxations. These misalignments can cause digestive issues, difficulty breathing, and general discomfort. Uncorrected poor posture can cause ripple effect throughout the musculoskeletal system and even make your more susceptible to injury.

What is considered poor posture?

In general, poor posture refers to any position that puts strain on the spine or muscles or takes the body out of neutral alignment. The examples most are familiar with include rounding the shoulders, forward head tilt or the chin jutting forward.

Poor posture can also result from stomach sleeping, sitting or standing in the same position for too long, carrying heavy bags on one shoulder, unsupportive furniture, wearing high heels, and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

What good posture looks and feels like

When many people hear “good posture,” they think of sitting up straight with their shoulders back. While straightening the spine and rolling the shoulders back is part of the equation, there are other elements involved that define good posture.

Starting with your head, you want to hold your head in line with your shoulders and your chin parallel to the ground. When you work at a computer or desk, try to set your monitor at or a little above eye level so you can avoid turning your chin down and tilting your head forward. Roll your shoulders up and back, pressing them gently away from your ears. Your shoulders should also be even with one another.

Whether you are sitting or standing, you want your back to mimic the neutral spine, meaning your upper body isn’t slouched forward or your lower back and buttocks aren’t overarched. When you are practicing good posture, both your back muscles and abdominal muscles are engaged and help to support a neutral spine.

Proper posture not only makes you look taller and more confident, it helps you maintain your balance and flexibility of your spine. Your muscles are able to work more efficiently which prevents muscle fatigue, neck pain and recurring headaches.

How Chiropractic can help you achieve proper posture

Gonstead chiropractic care emphasizes corrective care which means we prioritize specificity to ensure that adjustments are targeted and specific to your needs. By addressing the root cause of your poor posture, we can help you achieve long-lasting results.

Specific chiropractic adjustments help realign the spine and remove the pressure on strained muscles and ligaments. It can also help to increase the range of motion, eliminate pain and prevent re-injury.

Depending on this severity of the injury, chiropractors may give specific exercise recommendations and stretches to to reintroduce stability in some area while promoting better mobility in others. Finding the healthy balance of stability versus mobility in the body encourages strength and prevents future issues.

Are you ready to experience the many benefits of better posture? Schedule your visit to Evergreen Chiropractic today!