Break These Habits To Improve Your Posture

Right now, as you are reading this, how’s your posture? Are you leaning forward, hunched over or are you leaning back with your spine rounded? How about when you stare at your computer or phone screen for hours on end, are you slouched over looking down with your chin almost touching your chest? 

Most people know it’s wise to have good posture but few understand the true implications. Aside from the mental ramifications of exuding poor posture (embodied cognition, look it up!) your sitting and standing habits could play a role in poor circulation, fatigue, muscle pain and strain, breathing issues, neck tension and headaches. On the other hand, good posture can help you maintain the correct alignment of bones and joints, prevent muscle strain, reduce stress and inflammation, conserve energy and decrease wear and tear on the joints. To improve your posture, try some of these quick fixes:

• Make sure the top edge of your computer monitor screen is level with your eyes
• Keep your monitor at least 24 inches from your face, directly in front of you
• If you have two or more monitors, switch the location of the most frequently used to center
• Adjust your chair to support your elbows, hips and knees at 90 degree angles with your shoulders relaxed and lumbar spine supported
• Keep both feet on the floor
• Consider a footstool to take pressure off your lower back and a wrist pad for your forearms 

Other helpful tips for reducing the stress on the musculoskeletal system throughout the day:

• Take a 2-3 minute break every half hour to stand or take a walk
• Get a sit-stand desk
• Use the stairs
• Print items at the furthest printer from your desk
• Stretch every hour, even if you can’t leave your chair

When these strategies aren’t enough to keep the pain away, regular chiropractic adjustments, combined with soft tissue release techniques and physical therapy can help. At Integrated Health Solutions our doctors have advanced training in testing and identifying dysfunctions caused by posture and poor mechanics.  If you are looking to make improvements in your posture or are worried about unexplained painful symptoms, making the call may make all the difference. 

Content provided by Dr. Drew Hunt