We all know that we should strive to have “good posture”, but what exactly does that mean? And what can you do to turn a bad posture to a good one? In today’s blog, we’ll be sharing some important information about posture and what you can do to improve your posture in your daily life. Keep reading to learn more, or if you’re ready to see one of our chiropractors in East Stroudsburg for help with your posture, get in touch today. 

What Is Posture? 

The American Chiropractic Association defines posture as “the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting, or lying down. Good posture is the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity. Without posture and the muscles that control it, we would simply fall to the ground.”

As you can see, posture isn’t only important when you are sitting or standing. Your posture while sleeping also matters! Because posture is constant, correcting bad posture can be difficult — but it’s not impossible! 

Why Does Posture Matter?

Good posture helps your body function at its peak with the least amount of pain. It can help prevent excessive wear and tear on your joints by keeping them in the optimal position, minimize the stress put on ligaments to hold the bones in place, and allow the body to work more efficiently while using less energy. A lifetime of bad posture can cause serious muscle, bone, and joint degradation that can lead to chronic pain. That’s why it is important to not let your poor posture go unchecked. If you are unable to correct your posture by yourself, enlisting the help of a chiropractor or physiotherapist can help significantly. 

Why Is It So Hard To Change My Posture? 

Changing your posture should be easy, right? Shoulders back, head held high, sit up straight — easy peasy! 

Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. Posture isn’t a conscious decision. It is determined by the way your muscles pull certain bones. That’s why correcting your posture takes work. When you sit up straight with your shoulders back, you are pulling against the muscles and using energy to hold your body in a good position. With conscious practice, you will eventually be able to retrain those muscles to naturally relax into a healthy position. 

Good Standing Posture

  • Stand tall. Keep your head up while keeping your chin tucked. Your ears should be in line with your shoulders. 
  • Speaking of shoulders, keep your shoulders back and resist the urge to hunch them forward. 
  • Shoulders should be in line with your hip, which should be in line with your heels. 
  • Bear the bulk of your weight on the balls of your feet. 
  • Keep your knees slightly bent; do not lock your knees. 
  • Keep your stomach pulled in. 

Good Sitting Posture

  • Keep your feet flat on the floor with your knees at a 90-degree angle. If your feet do not reach the floor, use a footrest. 
  • Use a chair that has lower back support, or buy a lumbar support pillow if your chair doesn’t have this function.
  • Keep your shoulders relaxed and your forearms parallel to the ground.
  • Stand up and walk for a few minutes at least once per hour. 

Good Sleeping Posture

  • Avoid sleeping on your stomach
  • If sleeping on your side, place a pillow between your knees 
  • If sleeping on your back, place a pillow under your knees to encourage a good resting spinal position
  • If you wake up with aches and pains, speak with your chiropractor about your specific sleeping situation

Can A Chiropractor Help With My Posture?

Yes! A chiropractor can perform manual adjustments to realign your skeletal system and give you a fresh start on your posture. They can also show you stretches and activities that can help increase the effectiveness of the adjustment on your posture so that your tight muscles don’t simply pull you right back into a poor posture. 

If you are struggling to correct your posture, a visit to our East Stroudsburg chiropractor might be just what you need! Replacing bad posture with good posture takes time and doesn’t happen overnight, but the right care can help you succeed. Get in touch today to schedule your appointment