Poor Posture

The spinal structure is the strongest (trauma absorption & flexibility) when the spine is optimally aligned. It is straight when viewed from the back/front; and has curves like an “S” when viewed from the side. Optimal spinal structure also protects and holds the spinal cord and the nerves branching out without interference.

Posture is the window to your spine. Poor posture indicates that the spinal structure is abnormal.

When the spinal structure is off, it becomes weaker, thus increasing the risk of spinal injuries. Abnormal spinal structure also means that the spinal bones (Vertebra) could be misaligned and are imposing damaging pressure on the nerves.

Posture will affect the structure of the spine which will affect the function of the nervous system; and the nervous system will affect the function of the body.

If poor posture is not addressed, it may cause pain, spinal degeneration and deformation like irreversible hunched back or more serious health conditions.

POOR POSTURE IN KIDS & ELDERLY

Poor posture is common. But DO NOT conclude common as normal. Poor posture is physical abnormality.
Poor posture usually starts from a young age when children start carrying heavy school bags and engaging in long hours of studying and gaming on tech devices. As they become adults, they continue to adopt poor postural habits at work and leisure like long periods in high heels, hunching over computer and smart phone.

We always associate poor posture and hunching with old age. But that is a misconception. Poor posture and irreversible spinal distortions do not happen overnight. It takes years of abuse and neglect to the spine from young to develop and that’s why it becomes more evident in the elderly. If we take great care of our spine early enough, we can still age gracefully with good posture without the hunching.

Bad habits start young and are also best corrected young. Educate the young on the importance of adopting proper posture in all aspects. Individuals from young to old will definitely benefit from the safe adjustments and postural advice from the Doctors of Chiropractic.

FORWARD HEAD POSTURE (FHP)

How heavy is your head?

How much time do you spend looking down & hunching forward the whole day?

FHP is when the head shifts forward, leaning away from the center of gravity.

An adult head weighs about 5kg.When the head is sitting well-aligned above your spine, that 5kg feels manageable, almost weightless within the center of gravity.

With every inch of FHP, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds (about 5kg).

- Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, vol. 3

If you spend most of the time looking down and hunching forward (while walking, texting, eating, using the computer etc.), no wonder you are always feeling fatigued with headaches, neck and back pain.

FHP can cause damaging stress on the spine and nerves that may lead to other health issues.

Don’t want to carry a head that feels 10kg, 15kg or more?
Look up now.
Stretch that neck backwards regularly.

EXERCISING & POOR POSTURE

People with poor posture require more physical and neurological energy to endure that poor posture state and one is less likely to exercise as it can be more challenging and takes more energy. Exercising with improper posture makes exercising less effective and it can also injure the spine and joints.

Better posture opens up the chest so lungs have more space to breathe, especially during exercise.

LOOK AND FEEL BETTER WITH GOOD POSTURE

Poor Posture affects your appearance:

  • Reduced height

  • Thick neck & chin

  • Rounded shoulders

  • Smaller chest

  • Tensed muscle bump on back of neck

  • Hunched back

  • Protruding belly

  • Collapsed buttocks

  • Feeble legs…

Poor Posture leads to poor health:

  • Spinal degeneration

  • Headaches

  • Sinusitis

  • Neck pain

  • Backache

  • Weak limbs

  • Fatigue

  • Breathing difficulties

  • Low immunity…

Improve your posture and look better all the way into old age—TALLER, FITTER AND YOUNGER! But most importantly, good posture keeps you HEALTHIER!

WHAT CAN CAUSE POOR POSTURE?

  • Misaligned/Diseased Spine

  • Muscular Skeletal Pain/Diseases

  • Poor Ergonomics Environment/Products

  • Improper Habits (when sitting, standing, sleeping, walking, working, lifting load, exercising etc.)

  • Always Hunching

  • Sedentary Work/Lifestyle (stuck in same position for long periods)

  • Lack Exercise

  • Poor Footwear

  • Weight Issues

  • Weak Muscles

  • Physical Traumas

  • Repetitive Spinal Strain (wearing high heels everyday; carrying heavy bags, sports training, work duties that focus on same side of body)

  • Stress/Low Self-Esteem

  • Lack Education/Awareness

  • Genetics…

Know the causes and prevent or correct them. Don’t wait for pain to develop. It’ll come a time when it’s too late to get that proper posture back or reverse the harmful effects/inconvenience of poor posture.

Start with these 5 steps to resolve/deter those causes:

1. Keep fit, eat well, live well, be knowledgeable

Take care of your body and the weight/unhealthiness will take care of itself.

Research has shown that with wholesome and healthy lifestyle habits, even some health issues due to genetics can be suppressed.

2. Core

Quit long term reliance on external support like posture braces or back-support of chairs, it’ll cause the core muscles to become lazy, resulting to muscle atrophy and weakness, creating more stress on the spine.

Your core muscles and optimally aligned spine are the key support for sustaining great posture.

Train up your core muscles for greater support.

3. Good posture

Do a posture self-check and start adopting proper posture in all you do (standing, walking, exercising, sitting, sleeping) and wherever you are.

4. Movement

You can sit in the best chair or stand with the greatest posture but if you are stuck in the same position for long periods, it’ll cause spinal and brain fatigue.

So move. Break up those long hours of non-motion to stretch, walk, workout etc. Do mobilize the spinal bones with Chiropractic too.

5. Time for Chiropractic

You can wear the greatest orthopedic shoes, sit in the best ergonomics chair and sleep in the most costly mattress but if your spine is misaligned and stuck, you will not reap the optimal benefits of any stellar posture support products and it might even lead to more damage.

Get your spine aligned with Chiropractic and enjoy the benefits of quality ergonomic products.

Good posture helps us stand, walk, sit, and lie in positions that place the least strain on our spine, supporting muscles and ligaments. It also reduces wear and tear of our joints as well as the chances of getting injured during the performance of most activities.

Poor posture can cause spinal misalignments. Similarly, spinal misalignments can also lead to poor posture.

Chiropractic adjustments and postural advice from our Chiropractors have been very effective in correcting poor posture.

Many have reported improved postural habits and vitality during Chiropractic care.

Come Visit Us

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear, take proactive steps for Lifetime Wellness. Everyone from young to old should get the spine checked like they get the teeth and blood pressure checked regularly; or eating fruits/vegetables and exercising to stay fit.