How Chiropractic Treatment Helps Posture
Posture is position of the body while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture, also referred to as neutral spine, has many health benefits, including the avoidance of injury back pain. Chiropractic can help improve and maintain posture.
Why is Posture Important
Appearance benefits with good posture are obvious, but there are many less-obvious health benefits you should know. Good posture can:
- Maintain correct alignment of bones and joints
- Reduce stress on ligaments, minimizing risk of injury
- Prevent muscle strain, overuse and pain
- Conserve energy as muscles are used more efficiently
- Decrease abnormal joint wear
Research has shown that poor postures may increase feelings of depression, affect your digestive tract and influence confidence and stress levels.
Signs You have Poor Posture
There are many indicators of poor posture, but some of the more common are hunched shoulders, rounded shoulders, rounded upper back, forward head carriage and arched lower back. Another indicator is back pain. Unsure if you have good posture? Talk to your chiropractor or schedule an appointment for a spinal examination.
Factors that Contribute to Poor Posture
There are several common factors linked to poor posture:
- Weak postural muscles
- Abnormally tight muscles
- High-heeled shoes
How to Maintain or Correct Posture
The first step is awareness! Bring your attention to your posture as you sit, stand or lie down. If you’re sitting, keep both feet on the floor or a footrest, don’t cross your legs and use low-back support. While standing, keep your knees slightly bent, relax your arms and pull your shoulders back. When lying down it’s critical to choose the right mattress and pillow, and avoid sleeping on your stomach.
Importance of Chiropractic Care and Therapies
Your chiropractor can help you to maintain and correct your posture through chiropractic adjustments, exercises and recommendations on proper positions during different activities.
Make an appointment to talk to a chiropractic doctor about chiropractic and posture.
Read on to learn more:
Tips to Maintain Good Posture, American Chiropractic Association, accessed June 2015
Straight Facts on Good Posture, CBS News, Jan. 2004
Spinal manipulation and anterior headweighting for the correction of forward head posture and cervical hypolordosis: A pilot study, Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, Spring 2003
Structural rehabilitation of the spine and posture: rationale for treatment beyond the resolution of symptoms, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1998