As you’re typing away on your computer, you feel that familiar ache in your neck. You know you should stand up and walk around to stay loose while you work, but you’re on a deadline! How can you continue to get things done without causing pain? Perhaps you need to correct your posture.
You’ve likely been told to sit up straight and not slouch while you were growing up. In this case, this advice from your parents or teachers is spot on. In this post, you’ll learn reasons why and how you should have good posture.
Benefits of Proper Posture
While keeping good posture may seem tedious at first, it has many benefits for your body. In fact, some of these benefits may surprise you!
Less Neck and Back Pain
Improper posture puts a lot of stress on certain areas of the spine. Over time, you can experience lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches as a direct result of prolonged bad posture. Correctly sitting and standing reduces the likelihood of your neck and back pain or headaches, enabling you to live more comfortably and get more done.
Better Circulation and Digestion
When you slouch, your ribcage is angled inward. This compresses your internal organs and can make it more difficult for them to do their job. Digestion and other important functions can be impeded because these organs lack enough space and aren’t getting enough blood circulation. When you sit or stand up straight, you allow these organs to function as they are supposed to.
More Energy and Strength
At first, maintaining proper posture may feel less natural or like it requires more work, but the truth is actually the opposite. Your body has to work equally as hard to hold improper posture as it does good posture. All you need to do is retrain your muscles to stabilize your spine and head as they were designed to do. As you continue to practice good posture, your muscles will build up strength, and your energy won’t be wasted.
What Proper Sitting Posture Looks Like
Now that you know why you should have good posture, you need to know how to maintain it. When you’re sitting down, particularly for long periods of time, your feet should remain flat on the floor, and your weight should be evenly distributed between your hips. Your shoulders should be held back but feel relaxed, and your chin should align with your collar bones.
Sitting with good posture may take a little bit of practice, but it is well worth the effort. You can avoid discomfort and help your body perform its best by making sure you’re properly aligned.
About the Author
Dr. Zinovy Chukhman is the practicing chiropractor at AlignRight Chiropractic. He has more than 20 years of experience and is certified in all four parts of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners physical rehabilitation certification. He is happy to treat patients with neck and back pain, but he also takes a preventive approach and teaches patients how to maintain healthy posture. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Z, you can contact the practice through our website.
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