The Effects of Good Posture on Spinal Health
Hello again dear friends from Dr. Paulo, Dr. Diana, and the entire staff here at Newark's Vida Chiropractic. Let's talk posture!
We often hear that good posture is essential for good health. Good posture affects your overall well being, specifically when it pertains to neck and spine health. We recognize poor posture when we see it in the form of unnatural body positions formed as a result of bad habits carried out over years. Chiropractors in general have a real grasp of the importance and necessity of good posture.
What is posture? Posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting, or lying down. Good posture is the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity. Without posture and the muscles that control it, we would simply fall to the ground. Normally, we do not consciously maintain normal posture. Instead, certain muscles do it for us, and we don't even have to think about it. Several muscle groups, including the hamstrings and large back muscles, are critically important in maintaining good posture. While the ligaments help to hold the skeleton together, these postural muscles, when functioning properly, prevent the forces of gravity from pushing us over forward. Postural muscles also maintain our posture and balance during movement.
Consequences of poor posture: Poor posture can lead to excessive strain on our postural muscles and may even cause them to relax, when held in certain positions for long periods of time. For example, you can typically see this in people who bend forward at the waist for a prolonged time in the workplace. Their postural muscles are more prone to injury and back pain.
Can I correct my poor posture? In a word, yes. Remember, however, that long-standing postural problems will typically take longer to address than short-lived ones, as often the joints have adapted to your long-standing poor posture. Conscious awareness of your own posture and knowing what posture is correct will help you consciously correct yourself. With practice, the correct posture for standing, sitting, and lying down will gradually replace your old posture. In turn, this will help you move toward a better and healthier body position.
How can Dr. Paulo and Dr. Diana help? Those of
you with long-standing postural problems will likely require the help of a
chiropractor to assist both the body and the brain to correct themselves. We can assist you with proper
posture, including recommending exercises to strengthen your core postural
muscles. With the use of
certain chiropractic techniques, we can also assist you with choosing
proper postures during your activities, helping reduce your risk of
injury. Call us to
learn about how Newark's Vida Chiropractic can help you correct bad posture and the
associated painful ills that you suffer as a result!
