When was the last time you thought about your posture? If you’re like me, you may have been told many times growing up “sit up straight!” But whether it’s slouching at your desk, bending over to do your gardening, or hunching over your phone, poor posture has become a 21st century epidemic. But the good news: correcting it doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul – just a few tweaks to your routine and a visit to your local chiropractor.
Your posture is the secret to optimal health and longevity as it helps bring balance to every system in the body.
Poor posture can have a huge impact on your nervous system. This is something that us Chiropractors at Epoch often talk about. If your posture is less than great, there is an immense amount of pressure on the nerves that exit your spine and control your muscles, joints, and organs. The more pressure on these nerves, the harder it is for your body to function properly, and often as a result we don’t feel as good.
Bad posture is more than just an aesthetic issue. It can lead to:
As you constantly hunch over this can put pressure on your spine, joints, and muscles, leading to pain that might feel like it’s ‘just there’ but can worsen over time.
When your body is out of alignment, you’re using more energy to stay upright which can then in turn lead to fatigue.
Slouching compresses your lungs, making it harder to breathe deeply, leaving you feeling sluggish.
Do you notice how when you slouch this can make you feel tired and potentially more stressed too? Straightening up can aid in boosting your mood and can help make you feel more confident too!
Here are 4 tips & tools you can utilise in your daily routines to help improve your posture!
If you work at a desk, adjust your chair so your feet are flat on the floor, and your knees are at a 90-degree angle – this keeps your pelvis level and doesn’t load one side more than the other. Keep your computer or desktop at eye level, so you are not looking up or down.
Get up often! Set an alarm on your phone or computer to ensure you get up and walk around. A quick walk or even a few shoulder rolls can help reset your body’s alignment.
Imagine you are wearing a necklace, show everyone!! Pull your shoulders back and chin slightly up and back – preferably in line with your ears – to show off the imaginary necklace on your chest. Imagining this can help you create muscle memory of how your neck and shoulders should be.
Weak core muscles can lead to bad posture and imbalances in the pelvis and can often cause lower back pain too. Our wobble cushions used at Epoch help engage those core stabilising muscles which improves your balance, stability, core strength and coordination too.
Improving your posture involves strengthening the muscles that support your spine and shoulders, which includes your core muscles. Here are some core exercises that can help improve your posture:
You’re probably thinking, “Okay, I can fix my posture with some stretches and exercises at home so why would I need chiropractic care?” As Chiropractors we specialise in keeping your spine aligned which is the foundation of good posture. By getting adjusted regularly we get the spine moving properly and therefore taking the pressure off the nerves. When we relieve the nerves from this pressure, the feedback system is more efficient and therefore the muscles begin to work correctly, proper movement is increased and your posture improves, your body begins to function better and therefore you start to feel better.
Improving your posture doesn’t have to feel like a chore and the benefits can be life changing. From helping boost your energy to preventing long-term pain, taking care of your spine can make you feel like a whole new person. And while regular stretching, strengthening exercises and mindful sitting can work wonders, chiropractic care can be the extra key to unlocking long-term posture success.
So why not give these tips a try, start incorporating them into your daily routines. Your spine and future self will thank you.
With love,
Sophie
