Why Good Posture Is So Important

Posture refers to how you hold your body, both when you are moving (dynamic posture) and when you are still (static posture). Since our days are filled with so many different activities, there are many different positions that our bodies take, from standing, sitting, and lying down, to bending and twisting. In an ideal world, we should all pay close attention to our posture during all of them.

People who have good posture will remain still or perform movements with the position of their spine in relation to their head and shoulders in mind. This is important because maintaining proper alignment of the spine places the least strain on the muscles and ligaments of our bodies and can help with overall health and wellbeing. Here are some of the reasons why good posture is so important.

Relief From Back Pain

Back pain is extremely common and most of us will experience it at least once during the course of our lifetime. Unsurprisingly, poor posture is a common reason why many people go on to develop back pain. This is because our body is designed to have our spine, head, torso, and pelvis are designed to be perfectly aligned. When you slouch (forward-tilting head, curved neck, and exaggerated s-bend in the spine, it places pressure and stress on muscles that they simply aren’t designed to endure, especially for long periods of time. Good posture can help to relieve or eliminate back pain, and even prevent it from developing altogether.

Reduce Headaches and Migraines

Many people who have poor posture regularly experience headaches and migraines. This is thought to be largely because of the additional pressure that is placed on the muscles of the head and neck when the rest of the spine isn’t in alignment. Improving your posture can reduce neck and head strain and help keep debilitating headaches and migraines at bay.

Better Digestion

When we slouch, the center part of our body crumples in on itself. This reduces the amount of space that our internal organs have and instead, they can become compressed, which could stop them from functioning optimally. However, when you have good posture you will find that you sit up straighter. This will help all of your organs to function more effectively, including those involved in your digestive system. Patients could find that improving their posture could reduce the symptoms of digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Breathe More Easily

Slouching also shortens the muscles at the front of the body, and this can reduce your ability to breathe in fully. This isn’t good news if you suffer from a respiratory condition such as asthma or coronary obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, if you improve your posture and sit up straight, you could increase your oxygen intake by as much as 30%. Since oxygen is vital for every cell in our body, higher oxygen levels will help you to be as healthy as possible.

Boost Your Brain

Oxygen has a positive effect on your brain function too. The better your posture, the more oxygen can reach your brain, helping it to function optimally. This could improve your concentration, attention, and memory, battle brain fog, and even enhance your mood and make you less likely to experience anxiety and depression.

Your chiropractor can perform an assessment of your posture and, if necessary, provide treatment and advice to bring your spine into alignment and help you develop a better posture in the future. Visit Well Adjusted in Brooklyn. Call 718) 568-6228 today to schedule an appointment.