Poor posture affects many people in the population. We have control over whether we maintain good posture or not; many of us choose to slouch, slump, hunch, or lean. Poor posture can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, but good chiropractic care can also improve posture. 

WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN GOOD POSTURE?

Maintaining good posture is challenging, especially when it is not something we think about. It is easier to just let your shoulders hunch forward, and your pelvis slouch back than it is to keep your shoulders back and keep the natural curve in your lower spine intact. In some cases, people have structural causes of poor posture that are no fault of their own, but most have what is known as positional causes for poor posture. 

These include:

• Bad postural habits resulting from laziness.
• Excessive weight.
• General weakness in the midsection.
• Muscle imbalance or spasm.
• Pain in areas of the body that prevent proper posture.
• Self-esteem issues that cause you to slouch.
• Degenerative conditions preventing correct posture.
• Over-reliance on support from a non-ergonomic chair.

CONSEQUENCES OF POOR POSTURE

One of the primary outcomes of consistent poor posture is pain. Your body craves balance, and when you regularly place undue stress on your pelvis, back, neck, knees, shoulders, and hips, you’re going to become out of balance. Over time you may develop chronic pain conditions that you may attribute to getting older or some other condition when it may be from your poor posture. 

ANALYZE YOUR POSTURE

Chiropractic doctors can analyze your posture to determine what is at the root of the problem. Some of the things your chiropractor will look for include:

• Height variance across your shoulders.
• A forward tilt in the pelvis.
• Alignment in your knees.
• Stance variations like turning one or both feet outward.
• Changes in your normal gait.
• An increase in your spinal curvature.

Once the underlying causes of your posture issues are determined, a chiropractor can create a treatment program and help you correct the problem. Along with spinal adjustments, a good chiropractor can advise on how to sit properly, stand and walk correctly, and, if appropriate, work properly related to posture.

Chiropractic treatment will help, but it is only half the battle. You will also need to be more conscious of your posture in your everyday activities and to correct the bad habits you’ve created over the years. It can be challenging, but you can master good posture with regular practice and awareness. 

The information in our blog is not intended to be used as medical advice. Please contact us if you would like to schedule an appointment or have questions. 386•761•0520