Posture
and its importance to health
Having a balanced diet, getting proper sleep, avoiding
substances like tobacco, alcohol and drugs and having an active lifestyle are
all excellent factors to have in your life. But if all these attributes are
accompanied by an imbalance in posture, your overall health status may be
compromised.
Good
posture means your bones are properly aligned and your muscles, joints and
ligaments can work as nature intended. It means your vital organs are
structurally sound and can function at peak efficiency. Good posture helps the
nervous system function correctly.
Clients in my experience clinically present mainly
with symptoms of lower back pain and neck and shoulder pain. Most of these
symptoms are a result of poor posture.
Technology is our friend and foe. It makes our life a
lot easier but with harmful side effects making our physical activity level
diminish due to sedentary lifestyle habbits being formed.
Sitting at the computer all day long can have various
affects to our posture. Our gluteal muscles are not active so our pelvis
backwards causing the natural curve in the lumar spine to go the other way. In
turn the natural curve in our thorasic spine is exaggerated and our heads dip
forward and create forward head posture. These are all common sequences leading
to pain, fatigue and joint stiffness and pain.
How
can you find out how good or poor your posture is:
The
Wall Test
- Stand with the back of your head touching the wall and your heels six inches
from the baseboard. With your buttocks touching the wall, check the distance
with your hand between your lower back and the wall, and your neck and the
wall. If you can get within an inch or two at the low back and two inches at
the neck, you are close to having excellent posture. If not, your posture may
need professional attention to restore the normal curves of your spine.
Few
tips for better posture
Keep your weight
down –
excess weight can create unnatural curviture pulling structures due to weakened
muscles.
Work on your
core muscles-
Strong core muscles will maintain your spines health by keeping your structure
upright.
Buy good bedding - a
firm mattress will support the spine and help maintain the same shape as a
person with good upright posture.
Call Sydney Allied Health Clinic on 9559 8877 for an appt.
https://www.sydneyalliedhealthclinic.com.au
Call Sydney Allied Health Clinic on 9559 8877 for an appt.
https://www.sydneyalliedhealthclinic.com.au
