Remember when your mom would tell you to maintain a good posture and sit up straight? She was right! In today’s technological era, bad posture feels impossible to escape because we are always looking forward at the computer screen or down at our phones. However, bad posture and it’s many effects on our body tissues is correctable. 

Bad posture can impact the physical structure of the body. In order to take care of yourself and give our patients the best care possible, it’s important to get educated about good posture. It may be tedious at the moment, but good posture will be beneficial in the long run! Here are some of the most negative effects of bad posture that can be  both immediate and gradual. Once you have all of the information about the negative effects of bad posture, you can focus on improving your body posture!

Let’s see how poor posture can have a major impact on the body.

#1 Poor Posture Can Cause Soreness And Pain In Different Parts Of The Body: 

Suffering from soreness and pain is one of the most common negative effects of bad posture on your body. This pain can occur in the neck, back, jaw, or shoulders. Lower back pain and neck pain  are the most common type of pain associated with bad posture, followed by the shoulders and jaw. The cause behind the pain is usually the slouched position. Generally, in a slouched position, people tend to keep their head forward, which changes the mechanics and center of gravity, adding undue stress and weight on the neck. If you ignore your bad posture for long, then it can gradually lead to a force imbalance in the spine and cause muscle and joint pain as well as headaches. This posture and the symptoms it causes are 100% reversible with physiotherapy and exercise! 

#2 Poor Blood Circulation In The Body

Bad posture can lead to circulation changes in the body. This is especially true when you are sitting in a bad position for a prolonged time. When you are sitting, and closing off your body from proper blood flow, it can be detrimental to your health. Physiotherapists encourage patients with poor posture to be active when they are sitting down, especially when they have sitting jobs or sedentary work. Moreover, physiotherapists teach patients tips and tricks to make gradual posture changes throughout the day, stand up, stretch, and sit with their shoulders back. A physiotherapist can also assess your work station and optimize your environment to encourage better posture and reduce stress on your body.

How To Improve Your Poor Posture?

• Bring awareness to your posture. Try to check your posture often throughout the day. Sit and stand tall by picturing a straight line through your head down to your feet. To get into the habit, set a timer to check on your posture every 20-30 minutes.

• Sleep soundly. Your sleep posture is just as important as your sitting and standing posture. Sleep on your side or your back on a medium-firm mattress to keep your spine in alignment. For added support, your physiotherapist may recommend using a pillow between your knees or a roll under your neck.

• Take a deep breath. To breathe properly your diaphragm needs enough space to fully expand and contract with each breath. You can breathe optimally when your body is lengthened and in proper alignment.

• Regular Exercise: Exercise is so important for your health. Stretch, walk, and do strengthening exercises to keep your core and postural muscles strong. Yoga, swimming, dance, and Tai Chi classes are also great ways to get in a workout while working on improving your posture.

• Don’t sit too long. Avoid prolonged periods of sitting as it can contribute to bad posture and slouching. Set an alarm or timer to remind yourself to stand up and move around.

• Maintain healthy body weight. Carrying around extra weight puts unnecessary strain on your joints. Shedding those unwanted pounds may help you carry yourself straighter and taller.

Summary

Poor posture affects more than how you look. You may realize that bad posture can make our backs stiff, but what you may not have realized is that bad posture can truly affect your spine, which might lead to many different health issues. Good posture may feel hard to adapt, but once you get there, you will notice a huge change in the way you feel! At Forward Physiotherapy And Wellness, we can help you with your spinal pain and give you tips and tricks to beat poor posture! Contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment with us today!