After a long day at your desk or behind the wheel of your car, you’re unlikely to ponder your posture? But that’s exactly why you should. Given the amount of time you spend bent, hunched, and slumped, it’s important to realize that doing so is causing harm to your body, potentially long-term. Poor posture is a major reason that so many Americans develop back pain and other health problems.
Dr. Dana Robinson of Peninsula RSI Chiropractic Wellness Center in Redwood City has helped countless patients straighten up and as a result, feel and look better. As an experienced chiropractor, she identifies posture-related issues and develops a personalized approach that will set you on the straight and narrow.
Understanding posture
Your body is made up of countless interrelated parts, such as bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. This structure is complex, and it not only stabilizes your body but allows it to move. Each part is designed to align with the next in perfect harmony. When any of those parts get damaged, misaligned, or lost, there is a ripple effect throughout your body. That’s why slumping and slouching are bad for you.
Misalignments are not always a result of illness or injury. They occur from constantly slouching, and hunching. Some people may not even realize they are doing this. Here’s what proper posture looks like:
- Chin parallel to the floor
- Even shoulders and hips
- A neutral spine
- Braced abdominal muscles
- Arms at your sides and elbows even
- Knees pointing straight ahead
- Body weight equally between each foot
Why poor posture is bad
Bad posture throws off balance in your musculoskeletal system, which puts additional stress on your muscles and joints. Over time, that imbalance triggers a wide range of health issues, including:
- Forward-tilted head
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Breathing issues
- Poor circulation
- Fatigue
- Mood disorders, such as depression
- Urinary incontinence
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Sluggish digestion
- Cardiovascular disease
Poor posture may also lead to tight and weakened pelvic floor muscles, which impacts sexual arousal, stamina, and sensation. If this happens, poor posture could be the culprit in sexual dysfunction in men and women.
Understanding good posture
Achieving good posture may be as simple as increasing your awareness of how you’re positioned while working at a computer, using electronic devices, or walking down the street. However, not all poor posture is due to bad habits.
You can develop poor posture if you have inflexible or imbalanced muscles, which can reduce your joint’s range of motion. If the muscles in your back, side, or pelvis are out of balance, your body is more susceptible to slumping, which can cause your body to tip forward instead of remaining upright and aligned.
Regardless of what’s causing your posture problems, Dr. Robinson can help you get your body back into balance. After performing a comprehensive physical exam, Dr. Robinson might recommend a combination of approaches to correct your posture, including:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Soft tissue and rehabilitative treatments
- Electrical stimulation, ultrasound, or corrective therapy
- Customized exercises strengthen and loosen tight muscles
She might also recommend lifestyle changes, such as moving every 30-60 minutes to avoid sitting for extended periods of time.
To learn how Dr. Robinson can help get proper posture back, call us at (620) 264-9247 us today or book an appointment online.