Maintaining good posture is about more than looking good – it’s important for your long-term health. While you can always turn to the best local osteopath to deal with the pain that results from poor posture, your best bet will always be to correct the issues at home so you don’t have to resort to professional treatment. To that end, let’s take a look at five osteopath-approved tips for perfecting your posture.
1. Stand Evenly
Many of us shift our body weight from foot to foot, always resting or weight unevenly on one side or the other. While it may feel comfortable while you’re doing it, over time, it can cause many issues.
Persistently leaning on one leg can cause muscles within your pelvic region to become imbalanced. This is especially common among students who frequently carry heavy loads on one shoulder or parents who carry toddlers on one hip. To prevent this, get in the habit of evenly distributing your weight between your feet.
2. Stop Slouching
If you are among the millions of employees around the world who work in an office, chances are you spend the majority of your workday in a chair. We are willing to bet that you are sitting in all the wrong ways. Slouching may not immediately cause pain or discomfort, but over time, it will lead to increased muscle tension, which can turn into chronic pain if it continues.
Begin intentionally sitting straight, feet flat on the floor, head up, and shoulders back. Good posture may feel strange at first, but as you practice more, you will instinctually notice when you are not sitting properly.
3. Get Moving
If you find that your muscles tire easily, you need to strengthen them. Take a break, then practice good posture again. When our muscles begin to tire, it becomes second nature to relax and slouch. Most often, we do so without even noticing it.
To combat this issue, take periodic breaks throughout your workday. Take a walk around the office, stand up, and don’t forget to stretch it out. Good posture takes strength, so you’ll have to build those muscles back up.
4. Utilize Supports
If you are aware that poor posture is a problem for you, consider investing in additional support that will alleviate issues and reinforce good habits. For instance, you may be interested in an ergonomic chair that supports your back and neck at the same time. Or, perhaps you’re looking for a specialized ergonomic pillow that will support your lumbar spine. Both are great options and can be found at a reasonable price point.
5. Proactively Exercise
While it is important to maintain your aerobic conditioning by regularly walking, running, swimming, or biking, it is also vital to work and maintain muscular endurance and strength through resistance training. If those words just scared you, don’t fret. There are many resistance exercises you can complete at home using only your body weight.
We urge anyone who suffers from posture problems to try balance exercises that reinforce both back strength and core strength. If solo training at home does not appeal to you, test the waters with a beginner yoga class, give pilates a try, or speak with a personal trainer about beginning sessions.
We know how debilitating the pain from consistently poor posture can be. So, we hope that this article sparks a few great ideas and gives you the initiative to proactively protect your posture today for strength and long-term health tomorrow!
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