Having good posture can make quite the difference in relieving back pain, both short-term and long-term. When you do not maintain good posture, your body suffers. From your muscles, to joints and ligaments, having bad posture puts pressure on your body that can cause pain. Maintaining good posture can do the following for your body:
- Keep joints and bones properly aligned
- Reduce the potential for injury
- Muscles work more efficiently
- Decrease muscle soreness, strain, and fatigue
- Minimize wear on joint surfaces
The following list describes when people typically have poor posture:
Stress
Pregnancy
Obesity
Footwear – high-heels
Strained muscles caused by sports or weight-lifting
Here are some tips for improving posture:
- When you are sitting, keep both feet on the floor. If your feet cannot reach the floor, use a footrest to maintain proper balance.
- Try to keep your ankles placed in front of your knees. Avoid crossing your legs.
- Keep your weight on the balls of your feet while standing, not your heels.
- Avoid crossing your legs while standing; keep feet shoulder-width apart for optimum posture.
- Keep shoulders pulled back, with your chest forward.
- When lying down, avoid sleeping on your stomach.
- When sleeping on your side, try to keep a pillow between your knees.
- When sleeping on your back, keep a pillow under your knees.
Maintaining good posture will relieve pain by minimizing stress on your bones and joints. If you have any questions or would like to talk to an experienced chiropractor, call Advanced Chiropractic and Holistic Healing Center to schedule a free consultation.