By Hannah Whitcombe
Having good posture is a crucial component of our lifestyles and can have a significant impact on our overall health as an individual.
From a young age we’re told to ‘sit up straight’ and to ‘stop slouching’. But what actually is good posture and what impact does it have on our bodies?
Well, put simply, good posture is a position that minimises strain on your body. More specifically, good posture is achieved when your ears align with your shoulders and your shoulder blades are retracted. When correct alignment is achieved, stress on your spine is minimised.
(Spend long periods of time behind a desk at your computer? Adjust your monitor so that your eyes are always in line with the top of your screen, make sure your chair is straight and that it supports your spine & ensure your feet sit comfortably flat on the floor).
Our spine is made up of five sections, all of which are curved in a different way. The preservation of these curves is critical to ensuring our bones, nerves and muscles all continue to work correctly and aren’t exposed to excessive tension. Maintaining good posture is key to achieving this.
But, whether we’re driving, walking or behind a desk all day at work, it’s natural for us to slouch, causing our shoulders to hunch over. This places strain on your spine which can cause a variety of different issues including;
- Back Ache
- Neck Pain
- Lower Back Pain
- Headaches
- Pins & Needles
- Weakness in the muscles
- Joint Stiffness
Maintaining good posture will help you to avoid the physiological issues highlighted above. And the benefits don’t end there; it’ll also make you look taller, slimmer and more confident. So, when your parents told you to sit up straight as a child, they weren’t just saying it to annoy you!
Of course, it’s usually simpler to prevent an issue before it occurs. However, this doesn’t mean it’s too late if you’ve already suffered from issues caused by bad posture. We’re always here to help and we offer a range of treatments, correctional advice and exercises to help you prevent poor posture and its effects. If you’d like to speak to us or book an appointment , please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on 0208 088 0614 or click here to book an appointment online.