The Importance of Good Posture
February 15 2019
Good Posture at St. Lucie Chiropractic in Fort Pierce, FL.
We look forward to serving you! Call: 772-882-0701
Maintaining Good Posture
Few people understand the true importance of maintaining good posture. Despite our hearing about it on a pretty regular basis, why it matters and how to achieve it remain a little murky for many.
Why Good Posture Matters
Good posture is more than standing up straight. You have posture when you stand, walk, sit, kneel, lie down, and play sports. Whatever positions your body gets into, there is a right way and a wrong way of doing it. The right way reduces strain on the supporting muscles and ligaments. The wrong way hurts. Good posture does the following for you:
- Keeps your bones and joints correctly aligned so your muscles work correctly and your joints experience the least possible wear and tear, reducing the risk of degenerative arthritis and joint pain.
- Reduce the stress on the ligaments that hold your spinal joints together, making injury less likely.
- Allow your muscles to function with less effort, so you get less tired and stressed.
- Lower the risk of muscle strain and overuse disorders that can cause back and muscular pain.
Common risk factors for bad posture include: obesity, stress, pregnancy, weak postural muscles, unusually tight muscles, high-heels, lack of flexibility, poor work ergonomics, and bad habits when sitting and standing.
Sitting Properly
- Your feet should rest on the floor. If they don’t, use a stool.
- Crossing your legs is not advised, and keep your ankles in front of your knees.
- Check there’s a small gap between the front of your seat and the back of your knees.
- Keep your knees at or below the level of your hips.
- Support your low- and mid-back, either with a backrest or back support.
- Don’t tense the shoulders, and check your forearms are horizontal.
- Get up and move about regularly when stuck sitting down for long periods.
Standing Properly
- The balls of your feet should bear most of your weight.
- Don’t lock your knees; keep them slightly bent.
- Feet should be shoulder-width apart.
- Let your arms hang free at your sides.
- Stand straight and tall with shoulders pulled backward.
- Keep your stomach tucked in.
- Your head should be level, earlobes over your shoulders. Don’t force your head in any direction.
- When unavoidably on your feet for a while, shift your weight from your toes to your heels, or from one foot to the other, to share the burden.
Lying Properly
- A suitable mattress is very important. Make sure you find one that is supportive and comfortable. This is a personal matter based on your own shape.
- Use a pillow to maintain your spine in proper alignment.
- Don’t sleep on your stomach.
- Sleeping on your side is less stressful on your spine than sleeping on your back.
- Place a pillow between your legs if you sleep on your side.
- Place a pillow under your knees if you sleep on your back.
Your doctor of chiropractic is there to help you achieve and maintain proper posture, and can help you to strengthen your core postural muscles with specific exercises. Sport-specific postural advice is also offered to help minimize the risk of injury.
Dr. Susan Sanders, DC has been serving families for 20 years and has been serving the Treasure Coast for the last 10 years providing family chiropractic care and personal injury treatments. The office is 1,400 square feet of Chiropractic and Rehabilitative therapies. We provide many types of adjusting techniques, by hand or with the use of adjusting tools to suit every one’s individual needs. We are in network with many insurance plans and also provide cash services as well as family and business contracts for those looking for group coverage. We look forward to serving you.
Dr. Sue
