What is “Picture Perfect” posture?   

Posture is the way we position our bodies while we engage in normal daily activities. Exerting effort to keep our bodies in the same position for long periods of time creates strain on muscles, ligaments, and our skeletal structure. Good posture is positioning our bodies in such a way that minimizes harmful strain. There are many ways to practice good posture while standing, walking, sitting, and even sleeping. Most people have heard of sitting up straight and letting your legs do the heavy lifting. It can be a bit overwhelming to create a new habit of good posture.

Where do I begin?

Before we can improve our posture, it is important to make an honest assessment of our current habits. Pay attention to how your body is positioned throughout the day. As humans, we tend to avoid activities that bring us discomfort. Unfortunately, our bodies can become accustomed to our bad habits, and trying to suddenly practice good posture can cause discomfort of its own. Don't let that discourage you. Are there any activities you avoid that bring you muscle pain? One common example is long distance driving. If you experience neck or back pain during a long drives it may be due to poor posture. Other factors such as fatigue may also be at work. Rather than taking pain medicine to endure a long drive, this would be a good opportunity to work on good posture. It is important to set realistic short and long-term goals. Practicing good posture while you drive would be a great short-term goal to start working on the next time you get behind the wheel. Posture is not something typically on the forefront of everyone's mind. However, something as simple as how we position our bodies can help promote a healthier and happier lifestyle. Good posture has even been found to improve our physical appearance, which is always a plus. The next time you seek chiropractic care, talk to your doctor about how you might benefit from good posture.