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Improving your posture is more than just standing upright; it is about having proper spinal alignment to make sure you hold your body the right way. This helps to prevent pain, injuries, and other health problems in the long run.

When you keep a good posture, it means you are mobile and loose, with your:

• Head up looking straight ahead
• Back straight
• Knee straight
• Tummy in
• Weight distributed evenly on your two feet

However, a poor posture on the other hand can:

• Cause your spine to wear away, making it more fragile
• Decrease your mobility
• Misalign your musculoskeletal system
• Make it harder to breath
• Cause shoulder, neck, and back pain
• Affect how well your joints move
• Increase your risk of falling
• Affect your balance and reaction time

So at our Chiropractic Office in Elizabeth City, NC, we always help our patients improve on their posture to better the health of their spine and wellbeing generally.

How to improve your posture

Here are some general tips to help you keep the right posture for a healthy spine:

• Be very mindful of the body position you keep during everyday activities like washing dishes, watching television, walking, or chatting.
• Try to stay active or exercise more often. Some simple exercises to help you improve your posture include yoga, tai chi, etc. You can also include exercises that work on your core, pelvis, and back.
• Avoid wearing heels all the time. You stand the risk of being thrown off balance and learning to walk differently. More so, wearing heels put more stress on your muscles and distort your posture.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Getting extra weight can contribute to lower back pain and cause a problem for your pelvis and spine.
• Make sure you keep a comfortable height for you when making dinner, eating a meal, or sitting in front of a computer.

How to improve your posture at home:

• Don’t sit too long on a very soft chair or sofa.
• Avoid crossing your legs when seated as it can cause changes in the alignment of your spine over time.
• Make sure you distribute the weight of heavy items you’re carrying on either side of your body.
• Lie on a supportive mattress when sleeping and use a single firm support pillow to prevent neck pain.

How to improve your posture at work:

• Keep your back straight when seated in front of a computer. And try to keep your feet flat on the ground with your knees below your hips.
• If your job involves lifting, ask the employer for the right training to carry heavy and bulky objects.
• Get a headset for your phone calls if you are going to spend long hours talking. This helps to reduce the risk of phone strain.

Your posture is a great determinant of the health of your spine. You can follow the measures highlighted above to keep a good posture. However, you can consult Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office, Elizabeth City, NC for the corrective Chiropractic care for your spine.