Are you suffering from nagging back pain or neck pain? Think posture.
Posture is the position you’re holding your body up against the forces of gravity while standing, sitting or lying. Good posture means less strain on joint associated muscles and ligaments. Whereas, bad posture stresses your joints, particularly your back.
Correct posture may take some practice to maintain the proper alignment of your back and neck. The key to good posture is how your back and neck are held. You should have a small hollow at the base of the neck and lower back, with slight roundness to the middle back and shoulders modestly back.
Bad posture typically involves slouching or sometimes being arched back too much. When slouching, your head and shoulders tend to fall forward. Although slouching may seem more comfortable, it actually puts your back in an abnormal position and takes more effort to keep you upright against gravity.
Bad posture health effects include:
- fatigue
- myalgia
- back pain
- neck pain
- backache
- headaches
- shoulder pain
- disc problems
- breathing effects
- balance problems
- organ function effects
- muscle strain, overuse
- abnormal joint surface wearing that can cause arthritis
Bad posture causing health effects may develop over time. Also, wearing high heels, carrying a heavy purse over one shoulder, overloaded backpacks, sitting wrong at a desk, obesity and degenerative spine disorders can all contribute to bad posture.
Remind yourself to stand or sit up straight and keep your stomach muscles tight in an effort to maintain a good correct posture.
