As someone familiar with chiropractic care, you probably already know how important it is to maintain proper posture. Whether you're sitting or standing, good posture is important! Proper posture helps us lie, sit, stand, walk, and run in positions that put the least amount of strain on the supporting muscles and ligaments. When you maintain proper posture, you help your joints and bones stay in correct alignment, which will prevent muscle strain and back pain, decrease wear on joint surfaces, and reduce the amount of stress put on ligaments. This will allow your muscles to work more efficiently. Proper posture will help reduce your risk of injury and back pain, leaving you (and your back) feeling great!
Too Much Standing
There's plenty of information out there about how detrimental over-sitting can be to your health. But what if you have to deal with the opposite problem, and are required to spend the majority of your time standing? We're sharing our tips so you can stand with proper posture.
Put the majority of your weight on the balls of your feet.
Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
Allow your arms to hang naturally at your sides.
Keep your shoulders pulled slightly back, your neck long, and your chin slightly lifted.
Your core should be tight and engaged.
Your head should be in line with your shoulders and level with your earlobes. Try to keep your head from pushing forward, backward, or sideways.
If you must stand for a long period of time, shift your weight from one foot to the other or from your toes to your heels every so often.
Remember that it's important to give yourself (feet and legs included!) a break every so often when you stand for an extended period of time. If you'd like to hear more tips on proper standing posture, be sure to ask during your next adjustment. We would be happy to share exercises and recommendations for proper posture exercises for you to try at home!
