May: National Posture Month

May is national posture month! As of now I’m sure you are having flashbacks of your mother asking you to “sit up straight!” and “don’t slouch!” So many of us today work at sedentary jobs that require us to sit most of the day. While the other half is buried deep into our phones, causing “text neck” To help you celebrate, here are some tips you can use to help remind yourself so your mother doesn’t have to.

Taking the time each day to practice your posture is like riding a bike. The more you practice, the better you’ll get! Here are 5 simple ways to get that perfect posture!

Standing up straight – Do you know a great way to prevent problematic posture? Straighten up! Stand up tall when you think about it. Do this by pretending that you’re standing against a wall, tuck your chin and hold your head up high. Your ears should be centered over your shoulders, your shoulders should be back, your knees straight, your stomach tucked in, and your hips in line with the rest of you.
Don’t slump – At work, the afternoon slump can take on a whole new meaning when it comes to posture. As the day wears on and you get increasingly tired, make sure not to slouch. All you have to do to be successful is sit all the way back in your chair and use a rolled-up towel or cushion to support your lower back. Make sure your knees are at a 90-degree angle and your feet are flat on the floor.
Beware of technology – Yes, yes, we know your smartphone is like an extension of you. But don’t let that technological extension be your downfall. When you tilt your head down to read your email, your favorite chiropractic blog, or to watch that new funny cat video, it puts a lot of stress and strain on your spine. Lift the phone up to meet your eyes and you’ll take a big step toward healthier posture.
Drive tall – We understand you might look cool with your car seat reclined, but it’s not good for your posture. Make sure your seat is as close to the steering wheel as comfortably possible, with your knees slightly bent and at hip level or just above.

Overall poor posture can have a huge impact on your overall health. The obvious sign of a misaligned spine is back pain. Although poor posture can have other effects as well, such as:

Headaches
Jaw pain
Arthritis
Poor digestion
Breathing problems
Poor circulation

So don’t let poor posture get you down, come in to get that spine aligned! But while you aren’t in our office practice makes perfect! and remember no pressure,no one expects you to have perfect posture 24/7, except maybe your mother.