Although we’ve all heard about the importance of maintaining a good posture or the adverse effects of bad posture, most of us still don’t pay attention to how we position our bodies or take action to improve our posture. For instance, whenever you hunch or slouch over your computer, you add stress to your spine, which can lead to lower back pain.
One of the biggest challenges of dealing with the effects of bad posture is the fact that, as a society, we spend most of our time seated. From the moment you leave your house, you sit in your car, get to the office and sit behind your desk, then go back home and sit on your couch. The amount of time you spend on your feet is very little unless your job involves a lot of walking up and down.
According to Iron Neck, Prolonged sitting causes misalignment of the spine which leads to back pain. However, these effects can be mitigated by sitting on ideal seats and ensuring that they are properly cushioned. There is a lot of information that relates to correct sitting and general posture and mobility some of which can be found on www.upliftingmobility.com.
How does Improving Posture Relieve Back Pains?
Although the ill effects of sitting with a bad posture are not always felt immediately, the stress it causes to your spine impacts your spine anatomically. Bad body positioning constricts nerves and blood vessels, which in turn provokes back pain. At the same time, the impact on muscles, joints, and discs also significantly contributes to back pain.
Here are some of the ways you can improve your posture and ease back pain:
Always be aware of your Balance
As you grow older, your ability to maintain your balance progressively diminishes. That’s why you need to spare some time to work on your balance to keep your core muscles constantly engaged. This strengthens your brain-body connection. You can also perform exercises that help improve your balance and keep increasing the frequency and amount of the exercises.
Practice Proper Sitting
Sitting is the posture we most often adopt. When you sit for long hours, your core, which includes the muscles around your stomach and lower back, becomes fatigued, and you begin to slump. This exhausts your other structures. To avoid this, try to position your hips and knees at an angle of 90 degrees. Also, choose seats that support your lower back.
Walk tall
Your posture is also important when you are walking, running, or exercising. When you walk, always ensure that your head stays balanced right above your spine. You should also avoid drooping your shoulders.
If you experience persistent discomfort or need professional guidance, consulting a chiropractor in Flower Mound, TX, can be highly beneficial. Chiropractors help align the spine and improve overall posture, which can enhance your walking technique and contribute to better overall health.
Always monitor your stress.
Many times, we don’t monitor how our bodies respond to our environment. Your body is always making little adjustments, and as signals and a wide variety of information hit your senses, your body and brain constantly respond accordingly. Your muscles tense up, shoulders rise, and blood leaves your digestive process as it prepares to respond to stress.
Set aside some time for exercise.
Core strength plays an important role in keeping your back stable and relieving pain. Because your body is designed for movement, it goes without saying that you should always try to find some time for mobility and exercise. Walking, hiking, and yoga are some of the things you can do on a regular basis for your overall well-being.
Stretching
Spend some minutes daily stretching your entire body and at least one muscle group. Stretches are especially good for people who suffer from back, hip, and neck discomforts. Some of the muscles you should focus on are the ones in your hamstrings, legs, calves, feet, quads, mid-back, lower back, and shoulders. Also, include your biceps and triceps as well as your arms.
Wear proper shoes
Certain types of shoes can be detrimental to your posture and walking style. These include high heels and poorly supported shoes. They affect the alignment of your spine and hamper its proper functioning. Heavy accessories such as handbags cause stress to the part of the body they are placed on, forcing the muscles to adapt. This eventually affects your joints.
Lift heavy loads carefully.
Poor lifting techniques are also highly likely to cause injury to your joints, muscles, and discs in your upper and lower back. Push your chest forward and move your hips first to avoid damaging your back when lifting heavy objects. The weight should also be as close to your body as possible.
How can we identify incorrect posture?
The first step towards improving your posture is identifying what needs some improvement. The best way to do this is to monitor your posture constantly throughout the day. Watch how you sit in your office chair, carry objects, or stand in line regularly and make mental notes of back support and posture.
What are the other causes of back pain?
Sleeping on your stomach
This increases pressure on your joints and muscles. If you want your spine neutral, you should sleep on your back or side. If you must sleep on your tummy, place a pillow below your hips. This will help alleviate pressure on your discs, muscles, and ligaments.
Depression
While back pain has been known to lead to depression in some cases, there are some studies that have found the reverse to be true as well. People dealing with major depression are highly likely to suffer from neck and lower back pain.
Daily activities that we perform without even thinking such as sitting in front of the computer, getting into bed, driving for long hours, or even wearing shoes can significantly affect our spine health over time. What makes the treatment of back pain difficult is the fact that a large percentage of the common problems cannot be diagnosed by doctors. This should be a good reason why you should do everything in your power to keep your back stable and avoid straining it too much.
