Most of us have been hearing about posture our entire lives. We are told to sit with our shoulders back, to stand-up straight and we are flooded with ergonomically-correct products. We hear that sedentary lifestyles, “tech neck” and poor posture at our desks is killing us—but why?
Most people know that they could have better posture, but not why they should have better posture.
Poor posture isn’t just about aesthetics, poor posture actually provides a snapshot of your overall spinal health, which can, in turn, have a serious effect on your overall health. After all, your spine actually houses the brain and spinal cord, which can control everything in the body.
Good posture, on the other hand, is a sign that your spine is working in the way it should be. As Dr. Roger Sperry, a Nobel Peace Prize winner in Medicine famously stated, “90% of stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine.”
When we stand and sit all day with poor posture our spine is unable to move as it should. This means our brain is using more energy focusing on posture and less energy on other systems in our body including our immune system function, food metabolizing and brain power. When our spines are healthy and functioning, our bodies are healthy and functioning.
However, as technology becomes more prevalent in our world today, and many of us are spending more time at a desk job, staring at a computer, these issues with poor posture have become even more prevalent among people of all ages and backgrounds.
Unfortunately, while technology has helped our world in so many ways, it has also lead to an epidemic of sedentary lifestyles. So many people are spending eight hours or more a day sitting still, with poor posture. So what can we do to combat this problem?
Get moving.
There is nothing as important as movement when it comes to posture-related issues. Many of us have heard the new adage “sitting in the new smoking” and it’s true. Sitting all day can lead to serious health problems ranging from headaches and low back pain, to musculoskeletal issues and even obesity.
Movement is the best way to combat this. You should shoot for getting up and moving for 2-3 minutes every hour. Even if you stand up and stretch, or walk in place, this can have a major, positive impact on the way you feel and on your posture.
While additional approaches, like changing your work desk, getting a new ergonomic chair and putting your phone and computer at a different angle, can all help your posture. Stretches, exercises, and workouts that promote good posture like yoga and Pilates can all help as well. However, the one thing that you can do today without any money or extra planning, is to start moving.
Challenge yourself to get up and move every hour today, and you will start seeing the changes in your health and in your posture.
If you have questions about posture and the importance of what good posture can do for you, contact our family chiropractic office here in Laurel, MD today. We specialize in treating headaches, neck pain, sports injuries and auto accident cases at our office right in the center of 20707. Book an appointment online today to find out more or call us directly at 301-776-0755 to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors today.
