Why Good Posture is Essential to Your Health

Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2016 in General Health News

To practice proper posture, your body needs to be in a position so that your muscles, joints and ligaments are all carrying the correct amount of stress. This is all-important for proper muscle function which helps achieve healthy aging and overall comfort and happiness.

Consequences of Poor Posture

Poor posture will cause your muscles, joints and ligaments to perform unnaturally. It can cause discomfort and long-term affects such as arthritis and limited mobility. Many people don't realize that poor posture can actually disrupt your most important body functions. Even breathing and digestion are disrupted when proper posture is not being practiced. Not to mention, it only takes fifteen minutes of improper posture while sitting at a desk to exhaust your neck, back and shoulder muscles.

How to Reduce Pain and Discomfort with Proper Posture

We live in a world with an increasing amount of posture-related bad habits. For instance, think about your posture while using your cell phone- it's not good, right? Here are some tips to keep your posture at its best:

When standing – hold your head high, chin firmly forward, shoulders back, chest out. Your ears and shoulders should align.
When sitting– use a chair with firm low back support. Desk should be elbow high, adjust the chair to keep your knees a little higher than your hips. Get up and stretch for at least a minute every hour. Keep the screen 15 degrees below eye level.
When sleeping– don’t sleep on your stomach. Sleep on your side with your knees bent, place your pillow so that your head is level with your spine. Or, sleep on your back with a small pillow under your neck and a small pillow under your knees, if desired.

Sometimes, even with good posture habits, pain and discomfort are unavoidable. Signature Medical Group in Missouri and Kansas has orthopedic doctors dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic spinal pain. Find out how a Signature Medical Group Orthopedic Specialist could get you closer to the pain-free living you are looking for by requesting an appointment today.

Why Good Posture is Essential to Your Health

Tags