Spine Health and Good Posture | Kilian Chiropractic

Many of us probably have memories of our parents telling us to sit up straight at the dinner table. It’s also likely that most of us have complained of back pain during our adult years.

So, is it far-fetched that these two things might be connected? The answer is: yes!

Proper posture helps keep your back and spine healthy, therefore reducing back, neck and spine pain. As such, it’s important to understand what bad posture habits are and how to correct them. At Kilian Chiropractic, we recognize the importance of the spine in the human body and our goal is always to educate, empower and treat our clients.

Consequences of Poor Posture

Improper posture adds strain to your muscles and puts stress on your spine. Over time, this can lead to changes in the structure of your spine — which often results in chronic conditions and pain.

Back Pain, Neck Pain and Headaches

Back pain is perhaps the most common effect of poor posture and can be experienced in both your upper and lower back. Slouching is usually the reason for this, it applies unnecessary pressure between your shoulder blades.

Sloppy posture also puts pressure on your posterior muscles which have a direct effect on your neck. If your head is facing downwards, or your shoulders are hunched, this strains your neck and can lead to tension headaches.

Poor Sleep and Decreased Motivation

An unhealthy posture throws your whole muscle system out of whack and can make it difficult to rest. If you cannot fully and properly relax your physical body at night, you will likely toss and turn, continuously trying to find a comfortable position for your back and neck. Ultimately, this does not leave much time for rest and rejuvenation.

Poor posture can also have a direct effect on your work ethic and productivity. Your mood is connected to your posture — and as such, when your spine and body are not aligned properly, you may feel sluggish and uncomfortable. This can make it very difficult to focus on the task at hand.

Injury and Illness

The proper, natural curvature of our spine can be negatively affected by poor posture. This puts excessive amounts of pressure on the wrong areas which can deteriorate the proper functions of our body. This ultimately can lead to an increased risk of injury.

Improper posture can change the characteristics of our spine which can potentially lead to constricted blood vessels, pinched nerves, and infections. It can also create issues with discs, joints, and muscles.

Benefits of Good Posture

Good posture means keeping each part of our body in alignment with the neighboring parts while maintaining proper balance and support. There are a range of benefits to be enjoyed by developing good posture habits, including:

Tips to Correct Your Posture

You may be wondering how to improve your spine health. The good news is that there are many ways to make improvements! They simply require a little focus and commitment.

Here are some good ways to check your posture when sitting and standing.

Make sure your feet are resting flat on the floor and your weight is evenly distributed on both hips. Your back should be straight, and your shoulders should be back, but in a relaxed position.

In the standing position, your legs should have a bit of a bend at the knee. That way, you aren’t stressing and hyperextending your knee.

Helpful Tips for Correcting Your Posture

 
Contact Kilian Chiropractic Today

If you aresuffering from back, neck, or spine pain, our team at Kilian Chiropractic canhelp get you back in line. Contact us today to chat moreabout your issues or to schedule an appointment!