What is body posture ? How to improve body posture.

Good body posture is about more than standing up straight so you can look your best. It is an important part of your long-term health. Making sure that you hold your body the right way, whether you are moving or still, can prevent pain, injuries, and other health problems.

The key to good posture is the position of your spine. Your spine has three natural curves – at your neck, mid back, and low back. Correct posture should maintain these curves, but not increase them. Your head should be above your shoulders, and the top of your shoulder should be over the hips.

How can posture affect my health?

Misalign your musculoskeletal system
Wear away at your spine, making it more fragile and prone to injury
Cause neck, shoulder, and back pain
Decrease your flexibility
Affect how well your joints move
Affect your balance and increase your risk of falling
Make it harder to digest your food
Make it harder to breathe

How can I improve my posture in general?

Be mindful of your posture during everyday activities, like watching television, washing dishes, or walking
Stay active. Any kind of exercise may help improve your posture, but certain types of exercises can be especially helpful. They include yoga, tai chi, and other classes that focuses on body awareness. It is also a good idea to do exercises that strengthen your core (muscles around your back, abdomen, and pelvis).
Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight can weaken your abdominal muscles, cause problems for your pelvis and spine, and contribute to low back pain. All of these can hurt your posture.
Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes. High heels, for example, can throw off your balance and force you to walk differently. This puts more stress on your muscles and harms your posture.
Make sure work surfaces are at a comfortable height for you, whether you’re sitting in front of a computer, making dinner, or eating a meal.

How can I improve my posture when sitting?

Many Americans spend a lot of their time sitting – either at work, at school, or at home. It is important to sit properly, and to take frequent breaks:

Switch sitting positions often
Take brief walks around your office or home
Gently stretch your muscles every so often to help relieve muscle tension
Don’t cross your legs; keep your feet on the floor, with your ankles in front of your knees
Make sure that your feet touch the floor, or if that’s not possible, use a footrest
Relax your shoulders; they should not be rounded or pulled backwards
Keep your elbows in close to your body. They should be bent between 90 and 120 degrees.
Make sure that your back is fully supported. Use a back pillow or other back support if your chair does not have a backrest that can support your lower back’s curve.
Make sure that your thighs and hips are supported. You should have a well-padded seat, and your thighs and hips should be parallel to the floor.

How can I improve my posture when standing?

Stand up straight and tall
Keep your shoulders back
Pull your stomach in
Put your weight mostly on the balls of your feet
Keep your head level
Let your arms hang down naturally at your sides
Keep your feet about shoulder-width apart

With practice, you can improve your posture; you will look and feel better is important to your overall health and offers a variety of benefits including reduced back pain, increased energy, and greater confidence.

it is important to your overall health, as it can help you avoid muscle tension, pain, fatigue, and many other common ailments and medical conditions. It’s never too late to correct or make improvements to your posture, especially if it’s contributing to one or more health problems.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of good posture and about how Lompoc Valley Medical Center can help you improve your posture and treat related health conditions.

What Are the Benefits Of Good Posture?

Having good body posture comes with various health advantages—many of which are physical, and some of which are psychological.

Reduced Back Pain

Incorrect posture is one of the top risk factors of low back pain, affecting more than 25% of the working population every year. Sitting in a slouched position for long periods can put excess pressure on discs, ligaments, and muscles in the spine to cause low back pain. Practicing good posture even when sitting can greatly reduce your risk of developing back pain.

Fewer Headaches

Muscle tension in the neck and upper back caused by poor posture can often lead to headaches. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and are characterized by feelings of pressure, tightness, and dull, throbbing pain around the forehead or at the neck and back of the head. Yoga and stretching can often help relieve tension headaches, though addressing poor posture may eliminate these headaches for good.

Higher Lung Capacity

Slouching and incorrect posture can cause the lungs to compress to result in labored breathing and reduced respiratory function. Practicing good posture can often increase your lung capacity to make breathing easier. Cardio exercises such as walking, running, and swimming may also become easier because of improved breathing with good posture.

Higher Energy Levels

Having poor posture can make you feel fatigued and less energetic due to the way it hinders blood circulation and throws bones and joints out of alignment. Good blood circulation is necessary for oxygen and nutrients to reach your cells, where they can be used for energy. Properly aligned bones and joints contribute to optimal muscle functioning, which can help you feel more energetic and less tired.

Better Form When Exercising

Good posture will allow you to practice proper form when exercising, which reduces your risk for injuries. For example, doing squats while slouching or curving your back can increase chronic lower back pain risk. Your physical gains and workout results will also be more achievable and noticeable if your posture and alignment are properly formed.

Increased Confidence

Having good posture can, directly and indirectly, affect your confidence and the way you feel about your physical appearance. For instance, good posture can boost your energy levels and empower you to become more active and social.

Good posture can also make you look taller, slimmer, and more muscular. A study published in the journal PLoS One showed that good posture could improve negative thoughts and emotions in women who feel dissatisfied with their bodies and make them feel more confident.

What Does It Mean To Have Good Posture?

Good posture is about making sure your entire body is properly aligned from an asymmetrical standpoint at any given time, especially when sitting, standing, and lying down. Practicing good posture comes naturally for many people, though certain lifestyle behaviors and habits can gradually affect posture. For example, those who lean forward in their chairs for long periods when on the computer or playing video games may be more prone to developing incorrect posture.

Here’s how to practice good posture when sitting, standing, and lying down.

Sitting

Place your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest to prevent them from dangling mid-air. Keep your ankles in front of your knees and try to avoid sitting with your legs crossed. Keep your knees below the hips or at hip-level and away from the edge of the chair. Relax your shoulders, and make sure your chair fully supports your middle and lower back.

Standing

Stand up to your full height while keeping your back straight. To ensure you are doing this correctly, imagine someone is pulling you up toward the ceiling by the top of your head. Keep your knees slightly bent, and avoid locking your knees.

Let your arms hang naturally, and tuck in your stomach while keeping your core muscles engaged. Position your legs shoulder-width apart, and balance your weight slightly on the front of your feet as opposed to your heels. Keep your head level, and try to avoid pushing it back, forward, or to the side.

Lying Down

Lying on your side is usually the best position to ensure good posture, as it avoids putting excess pressure on your back. If you find the side-sleeping position uncomfortable, try placing a pillow between your knees to align your spine.

Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as this position may worsen back pain. Your doctor can also give you tips on finding the best sleeping position for you based on your posture, weight, and any existing sleep disorders.

How Can I Improve My Posture?

Certain habits and behaviors can help you improve your posture over time until it starts to feel more natural. Here are several tips that can help you improve your posture.

Start exercising regularly, as exercise can increase bone and muscle strength, naturally reduce pain, and stabilize your spine. If you need help learning proper forms and techniques, watch tutorial videos or work with a fitness trainer.
Create an ergonomic workspace that protects your back and prevents any tension headaches. Position your computer monitor directly in front of your face, and follow the directions that came with your office desk or chair to place them in ergonomic positions that work best for you.
Limit the amount of time you spend bending down, which can place extra stress on the spine. Reorganize your home, so items are within easy reach that prevents you from bending down too frequently.
Prop yourself up on pillows when lounging on chairs and couches at home to avoid slouching.
Make posture-friendly changes to your wardrobe that won’t contribute to back pain or slouching. For example, if you carry heavy items in a shoulder bag or purse, invest in a backpack you can wear on both shoulders to reduce shoulder, neck, and back strain.

Where To Find Treatment For Low Back Pain and More

Lompoc Valley Medical Center is home to a large team of medical providers who can work with you to improve your posture and treat any health conditions related to incorrect posture.

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