“Sit up straight and stop slouching!”
We’ve all heard (or said) it a million times in the name of having perfect posture.
You’ve likely heard this since childhood, and for good reason.
Poor posture as a kid can create health challenges later in life.
Rounded shoulders (scapular protrusion), swayback (lumbar hyperlordosis) and a hunched
upper back (thoracic hyperkyphosis) are all postural imbalances that place a tremendous
amount of stress on the spine.
And when those imbalances persist, the muscles supporting your spine must work harder to
support your body weight, and that can result in pain.
Know that If you’re experiencing daily aches and pains, seeing a posture rehab chiropractor in
the greater Pittsburgh area is a great place to start.
Abnormal postures have been linked to depression, decreases in energy, headaches, and
carpal tunnel syndrome.
Maintaining good posture as you age can help keep any unnecessary stress off your spine and
joints, positively impacting your overall spinal health for years to come.
What’s more, your ability to move through a full range of motion without pain plays a big role in
how your posture looks when you’re still.
But is there such a thing as perfect posture?
Well, the idea of perfect posture is a bit complicated.
The latest research shows that it makes more sense to think about your posture as dynamic, not
static.
That’s because your ideal or perfect posture is constantly changing and evolving.
Your posture consists of a dynamic pattern of responses, reflexes, and habits – not a single
position.
Poor posture is usually caused by what you aren’t doing instead of what you are doing.
The effects of gravity, the ergonomics of your desk at work, and your anatomy all play a role.
Even with great ergonomics, sitting for hours each day working on a computer can lead to
postural issues.
It’s true.
As the leading posture rehab chiropractor in the greater Pittsburgh area we see this in our
practice every day.
Think about it.
Most of us aren’t moving and stretching very often as we work or even rest with our
smartphones or tablets in hand.
Over time the imbalances caused by those long hours spent looking down at our devices can
lead to a habitual forward head posture.
And while there may not be a one size fits all perfect posture, you can bet nearly every one of
us has developed some level of habitual forward head posture.
By breaking the pattern of poor posture, you can reduce your likelihood of experiencing many
common aches and pains.
Every day, you can take advantage of simple opportunities to improve your strength, flexibility,
and ergonomics to develop more ideal or perfect posture patterns.
Try this.
Next time you’re on the phone, stop for a moment and see if your head is creeping forward.
If your chin is tucked down and your ears are in front of your shoulders, then you’re in that
forward head posture we discussed.
When that happens, it’s a sign that it’s a good time to take a break, stretch, and reset.
Simple.
And remember, both strength and flexibility also play a significant role in your posture.
Strengthening the trapezius muscles, actively maintaining good core strength, and working to
balance that strength with flexibility can help your body best adapt to your environment.
Remember. Think of your ideal or perfect posture as dynamic.
It’s constantly changing and evolving no matter how little our daily routines change or how much
our daily habits change.
Many of us spend large chunks of our days working on a computer, so it’s important to ensure
that our spinal joints are moving well and moving correctly to help keep us feeling great.
That’s where we come in.
Chiropractors are taught many of the finer details that go into developing those ideal or perfect
postures.
So, if you’ve been living with nagging aches and pains, and you’re interested in working with a
posture rehab chiropractor in the greater Pittsburgh area, contact us for an evaluation
today.
Together, we can help you perfect your posture and say goodbye to pain for years to come!
Science Source:
Effects of Trapezius Strengthening on Patients with Neck Pain. Med Sci Monit. 2020.