One of the best, simplest ways to protect the health of your spine is to maintain good posture. Poor posture is an issue that’s shared by many, but improving it is an attainable goal. By being mindful of the alignment of your spine when you walk, stand, and sit, you can avoid back pain, neck pain, and other unpleasant side effects of poor posture.
The Negative Effects of Poor Posture On Your Spine
Poor posture leads to an imbalance in how your weight is carried by your spine. Certain parts of the spine will be strained in an effort to support your weight. This places an abnormal amount of impact on the back muscles, spinal joints, and spinal discs.
Increased Risk of Herniated Disc
The strain on the spinal discs due to poor posture can, over time, lead to a herniated disc. A spinal disc becomes herniated if the soft interior of the disc pushes out through a crack in the tough exterior. If the protruding section of the disc’s interior presses on a nearby nerve in the spine, it can lead to significant pain and a lost range of motion in the spine.
Weakened Abdominal Muscles
Standing or sitting in a hunched position for prolonged periods can gradually lead to weakness and stiffness in the abdominal muscles. This occurs because poor posture doesn’t require the muscles to support the spine and even reduces circulation to these muscles.
Strained Neck and Upper Back Muscles
People who exhibit poor posture typically have their shoulders hunched, with the head tilting forward. This position forces the neck and upper back muscles to work harder than usual to support gravity’s downward pull on the head. Over time, this can lead to muscle strains and spasms.
Achieving Proper Posture
Achieving proper posture requires mindfulness, persistence, and lifestyle changes for those who are sedentary for large portions of the day. But, first, it’s important to understand how to position the spine so that it’s properly aligned.
Good posture includes standing with:
- The shoulders at the same level
- The chin is parallel to the floor.
- The spine neither flexing nor arching
- The abdominal muscles gently engaged
- The hips at an even level
- The arms evenly by your sides
- Your weight balanced evenly between the two feet
If poor posture is causing back pain, neck pain, or other spinal problems, schedule an appointment at Wasserman Chiropractic. Our experienced team of medical professionals can devise a plan to help you achieve proper posture, strengthened muscles, and lasting pain relief.
