Poor posture is more than just slouching or a sign of low self-esteem. Bad posture can have a negative impact on your overall health and lead to pain in the back, neck, shoulders and even your joints.
People with desk jobs and students are especially prone to developing bad posture. Combining countless hours behind a computer screen with a sedentary lifestyle can have long-term consequences for your posture.
Luckily, recognizing your habitual slouching and adopting techniques to improve your posture can give your muscles a much-needed break from being in overdrive and protect you from several debilitating effects poor posture can have on your body.
Symptoms of Bad Posture
Some signs that your posture needs tweaking are more obvious than others. Here are some of the most common symptoms of poor posture:
- Rounded back and shoulders
- A protruding abdomen
- Various body aches, like back or neck pain
- Headache
- Forward head
- Muscle twitching
Consequences of Poor Posture on the Body
The consequences of not sitting or standing up straight can go far beyond an unattractive physique. The seemingly inconsequential slouching or looking down at your phone or computer screen can result in several negative effects and even chronic conditions your body will be forced to endure:
- Arthritis: Bad posture causes your neck and back muscles to work especially hard. As a result, your immune system tries to heal your muscles, leading to inflammation. Prolonged inflammation of your muscles and joints can lead to arthritis, which is a painful and incurable disease.
- Back Pain: Prolonged slouching can put a serious strain on your upper and lower back.
- Neck Pain: Bad posture puts pressure on your back’s posterior muscles, which can put a strain on your neck.
- Curved Spine: Slouching forward can cause your spine’s natural curves to become misaligned, which can negatively affect your body’s ability to absorb shocks, making you more prone to injuries.
- Headaches: The pressure poor posture puts on the back, neck and shoulders can lead to upper body tension and frequent headaches.
How to Improve Your Posture
If you’ve been suffering from frequent headaches or body aches, make sure it’s not your poor posture that’s causing you discomfort. If you spend countless hours sitting behind a desk, make it a priority to work on improving your posture. There are many things you can do to tackle your unhealthy habits head-on and feel better.
Make Changes in Your Desk Setup
Whether you choose to stand or sit while working, position your monitor in a way that causes you to look straight ahead. Avoid looking down at your screen, as this puts a lot of strain on your neck, leading to unnecessary tension and headaches.
Take Frequent Breaks
Being busy can prompt you to work long hours without taking any breaks. This can be detrimental to your posture and your body. Try to weave short, frequent breaks into your work routine and spend them moving around. This could include things like walking, stretching, doing crunches or even dancing to your favorite tunes.
Exercise Regularly
Working out can be a great antidote to poor posture, as it strengthens and relaxes your muscles. Choose activities that you like, such as walking, running, swimming or strength training, and make them a regular part of your schedule. If you’re suffering from back pain, swimming and water aerobics is an excellent, gentle exercise to relieve pain.
Visit a Chiropractor
Regular chiropractic care can help to improve your posture. A certified chiropractor will gently manipulate your body’s spine, muscles and joints to make sure they’re properly aligned, causing your body to release pain and heal.
Overcome Bad Posture and Pain with Chiropractic Treatments from Optimum Health Rehab
Georgia residents looking for pain management solutions can benefit from the chiropractic care offered by our experienced team of specialists. We will develop a personalized treatment plan to help alleviate your symptoms and improve your posture.
For more information, call us at (877) 704-1761 or send us a message.
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