Blog#67: Posture Effects Body, Mind and Emotions
I am writing this blog during the last days of
September. October will soon be here. Since October is “Good Posture Month” I
thought it would be appropriate to address posture. Most people have at least a
vague idea of what good posture is. No
slouching, hold your head up, shoulders back, spine straight…. well, actually,
some people hold their shoulders back too rigidly, and that can cause tension
in the body, but other than that, those few guidelines at least get us started
on good posture. But there is much
more. For instance, when seated, make
sure your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle or greater and your feet are flat
on the floor. This translates into never
tucking your feet under the chair.
Sitting leaning over a laptop computer is poor posture, as is craning
your neck to read the screen of a desktop.
Sitting on a saggy, non-supportive couch is also problematic, as is
falling asleep when seated in a chair with no headrest.
I am living proof that the last situation can cause
problems; sometimes when I have done this, my head subsequently lolled to the
side, I heard a loud “pop” in my neck, and I suffered from neck soreness for days
or even weeks afterward. Gentle massage
or chiropractic adjusting, along with time, to let the injury heal, were
helpful in my case. Most people realize
that craning the neck forward or slouching forward over a laptop also can be
harmful. What many people do not realize
is that tucking the feet under a chair stresses the hips and the entire spine,
including the neck. This seated posture
results in unnecessary tension in the hips, back and neck and can result in
spasm of the small paraspinal muscles, temporary impingement of some spinal nerves,
especially when there are degenerative changes in the spine, and also can
result in uneven circulation to the hips, back and neck.
When we stand and sit straight, we tend to be more
alert, since the nervous and circulatory systems are not impeded by our
posture. Our internal organs also
function better than they would if we slouch or otherwise exhibit poor
posture. Internal organs that are
especially affected by poor posture are the brain, thyroid, lungs, liver, gall
bladder, kidneys, bladder, stomach, intestines, and the reproductive
system. For example, sitting up straight
allows our lungs to fill and expel more fully and allows our tissues to receive
more oxygen and release more carbon dioxide and other waste products. A singer will have a louder, clearer voice
and can even increase note range with improved posture.
Others perceive us as more alert, intelligent, vital,
and effectual when we have good posture.
At a job interview, all other things being equal, the person with good
posture will be hired over the person who slouches. And good posture also signals us to feel
better about ourselves, since a more vitally functioning body usually results
in a more objective, empowered outlook on things, as well as in more
self-confidence. One step toward
improved posture is becoming aware of our posture more and more often, and
correcting mistakes until improved posture becomes automatic.
This week’s offer:
chiropractic, acupuncture, and appropriate exercise can help improve
posture, increase energy level, and enhance a sense of well being. Feel free to
call me about a free consultation regarding improving your posture and which
approaches might help you.
