Good posture is the position that puts your body in the least amount of strain. Not only does good posture project confidence and poise, but your body actually functions at its best when it is well aligned. Bad posture can throw you into a vicious cycle where slouching causes back pain, which in turn worsens posture, causing even more pain.
Here are some tips for great posture in every position.
Sitting
Sit up with your back straight and your shoulders back but relaxed.
Keep feet flat on the floor while sitting down.
Sit with knees slightly below your hips.
Don’t cross your legs or tuck your feet under the chair.
Get up and stretch and walk around at least once every hour.
Write a post-it reminding to check your alignment and stick it to your desk.
Standing
Head, trunk, and thighs should have a straight line through them. That means ears line up with the center of the shoulder, shoulders align with hips, and hips align with ankles.
Pull shoulders back from hunching.
Keep stomach pulled slightly in to resist leaning or slouching.
Wear shoes that offer good arch support.
Distribute weight evenly between both feet.
Walking
Keep chin parallel to the ground. Instead of looking down at the ground, try to look several feet ahead.
Walk heel to toe.
Refrain from looking down at your phone while walking. Stooping your head for prolonged periods of time is bad for posture.
Improving your posture may relieve some forms of back pain, but if back pain is continually interfering with your daily activities, it’s probably a time to see a specialist. Give us a call at 303-327-5511 to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians or physical therapists.
Call Us
Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our excellent providers at The Denver Spine and Pain Institute. 303-327-5511.
