There's no denying that having a decent posture has its advantages. It improves the fit of clothing, and who doesn't admire someone who welcomes the world with a noticeable straight back?
The truth is that excellent posture is also helpful for your health. Did you know that your posture, for example, might alter how you breathe and/or digest food? Not to mention the pain in the neck, shoulders, and back that can be traced back to poor posture.
At Yale Neurosurgery New London in Connecticut, Patrick Doherty, MD is a board-certified neurosurgeon who oversees our staff. For patients who suffer from some of the musculoskeletal disorders linked with long-term bad posture, we've built an outstanding reputation for providing cutting-edge, highly effective, minimally intrusive treatments.
Dr. Doherty is dedicated to providing patient-centered care, which includes giving you with the information you need to take charge of your health, including how to improve your posture at any age.
What is posture?
When you're sitting, standing, or moving, posture refers to how your body is positioned. When you're watching TV, working at your desk, or taking a nap on the couch, it's all about how you arrange yourself. The term "static posture" is used to describe this type of behavior. When you bend over, run, stroll, or move in different ways, your body aligns dynamically.
The muscles that support your spine should be aligned similarly on both sides while you're in proper posture. This allows your cervical spine to support the weight of your head, as well as your hips, knees, and shoulders, as well as your hips, knees, and shoulders, and can help you avoid many of the health issues associated with bad posture.
What problems does poor posture cause?
Poor posture is to blame for a lot of problems. Individuals who spend the most of their day slumped over a desk with rounded shoulders and their head bent forward, for example, are more likely to have abnormal breathing patterns. Your chest muscles contract as a result, and your capacity to take deep natural breaths is limited.
Sitting in a bad position that causes your upper spine to sag downward compresses your abdominal organs and makes it difficult for your digestive system to function properly. Improving your posture requires strengthening and stretching muscles in your upper back, chest, and core, which makes it difficult for your heart to circulate blood throughout your body. Even while sitting at your desk, you can do simple stretches like shoulder squeezes, in which you squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold for 30 seconds, or strengthening your abs by pulling your navel in toward your spine with your abdominal muscles.
Poor posture can cause a variety of musculoskeletal problems, including:
- Low back pain
- Tension headaches caused by strain in the neck
- Neck pain
- Discomfort related to upper back and shoulder strain
- Abnormal wear and tear of joints, especially hips and knees
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
How can I fix my posture?
Strengthening and stretching the muscles in your upper back, chest, and core are all necessary for better posture. Even while sitting at your desk, you can do simple stretches like shoulder squeezes, in which you squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold for 30 seconds, or strengthening your abs by pulling your navel in toward your spine with your abdominal muscles.
Yoga is a great way to improve your posture since it focuses on stretching and straightening your spine while balancing your weight equally on both sides of the body, which is a great way to improve posture. Many of the basic yoga postures, when done correctly, can help you understand what it feels like to be in good posture, making it simpler to sustain good habits throughout the day.
It's also crucial to pay attention to your posture and take regular breaks from your desk job to get up and walk about. You should master lifting techniques that help you maintain excellent posture and preserve your muscles and joints from harm if your job or hobbies require you to lift a lot.
As you strengthen and stretch your muscles, a trained physical therapist can create a program that will help you improve your posture. Our rehabilitation programs at Yale Neurosurgery are frequently developed with this purpose in mind. Before beginning any new workout program, make sure you consult a doctor.
No matter how old you are, it’s never really too late to improve your posture. For further help with your posture, you can check out or collections and see how it helps!