Hints on improving your posture - “Good posture is integral to good health”

What is posture?

Poor posture is caused by too much compression on certain ligaments, and this compression throws the body out of balance, distorting the spine.

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So how do we know if our posture needs improving?

Well you can look in the mirror for a start and if you’re slouching and round shouldered then you’ll soon work out that your body is out of alignment with its neighbouring parts. You should be able to draw a straight line from your ear lobe right down your shoulders and hips and to the ankles …. and if you can achieve that, or get close to it, then you’re on the way to better posture.

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Bad postural habits

It’s a social thing. It starts with children carrying awkward loads such as shopping or school bags in one hand and not distributing load evenly to both, Overloaded backpacks, Bending over to lift heavy items, Leaning forward on your computer, Sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t evenly distribute your body’s pressure points; or using a pillow that fails to encourage the spine’s natural curvature.

So what can you do to ensure good posture is maintained?

Use a lumbar roll or back support to support the lower back. Maintain an arch.

Sit with back against chair, and knees in line with your hips.

At desk, arms should be flexed at a 70 to 90 degree angle to elbows.

Walk tall. Think of pulling your entire body upwards towards the sky.

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What can you do about maintaining good posture through the night?

Don’t sleep on your stomach. Side sleepers would do well to place a soft polyfill pillow between slightly bent knees. And back sleepers place a soft pillow under the knees. Both these pillow applications help encourage the spine’s natural alignment during the night, and as such relieve tension to the spine.

Sleeping & posture..

Talk to your health professional

Finally, visit your chiropractor, osteopath, or physiotherapist/physical therapist if you are concerned and have a checkout. They are highly trained spinal specialists. It’s the best half hour you’ll ever spend.