Choice Health Centre
  • Home
  • Chiropractic
    • About Chiropractic
    • Dr-Erin Kempt-Sutherland-DC
    • Dr-Brigitte MacPhail-DC
    • Dr-Justine Landry-DC
    • Dr-Lindsay Barker-DC
    • Dr-Ryan Robichaud-DC
    • Dr-Arielle Petropolis-DC
  • Physiotherapy
    • About Physiotherapy
    • Saba Chishti-PT
    • Stephanie Brown-PT
    • Laura Gfeller-PT
    • Kendra Brown-PT
    • Daniel Mollins-PT
    • Heidi Kent-PT
  • Massage Therapy
    • About Massage Therapy
    • Kira Sernoskie-RMT
    • Melissa Macaulay-RMT
    • Amber Harper-RMT
    • Michael Chappelle-RMT
  • Disciplines
    • Pedorthics
    • Naturopathic Medicine >
      • Dr-Anna D'Intino, ND
      • Dr-Lauren MacIntosh, ND
      • Prolotherapy
      • IV Therapy
      • Food Sensitivity Testing
      • B12 Injections
    • Acupuncture >
      • Amanda Conrad-Acu
  • Services
    • Women's Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
    • Complete Concussion Management Halifax
    • Shockwave Therapy
    • Wireless Muscle Stimulation
    • Active Release Technique®
    • Custom Foot Orthotics
    • Graston Technique
    • Gait Analysis
    • Low Intensity Laser Therapy
    • Orthopedic Bracing
    • Webster Technique
    • Infrared Sauna Halifax
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Book Online
    • Join Our Team
  • Blog

What’s the Big Deal about Poor Posture?

12/16/2015

1 Comment

 
Most people don’t even realize how bad their posture is and, worse, they don’t think posture is a big deal. Unfortunately posture isn’t just about looking better; it is actually crucial to good overall health.
Picture
We live in a world full of electronics and, sadly, they tend to lead to poor posture because of the positions we assume while using them. For example, many people slump and tilt their head forward when using a computer or tablet. Electronic use is just one cause of poor posture, but there are several others, including accidents and injuries, poor mattress/pillow, excessive weight, foot problems and improper footwear, weak muscles and muscle imbalances, poor sitting, sleeping, and standing habits, occupational stress, and poorly designed workspace.

If we look closer at what happens to the body when we assume a poor posture, we find the following:
  • forward head posture (you poke your chin out more forward than it should be)
  • rounded shoulders and rounded upper back
  • weak core muscles
  • tight chest muscles
Typically, when a person assumes this posture, it causes tight achy muscles in the neck, back, arms and legs, joint stiffness and pain, and fatigue because your muscles work harder to hold you up.
​
Good posture means your bones are aligned properly, and your muscles, joints, and ligaments are working effectively. Good posture also gives our internal organs room to function properly. For example, when you are always slumped over, your lungs can not expand to their full capacity. Good posture also helps your nervous system to function better. The long term effects of poor posture are numerous and can effect digestion, elimination, breathing, muscles, joints and ligaments.
Picture
Good news! It is never too late to correct your posture. One simple way to check your posture and correct it is to stand up against a wall. Does your head, shoulder blades, and buttocks all touch the wall? With your buttocks against the wall check the distance between your lower back and the wall, and your neck and the wall. If you can get within an inch or two at the low back, and two inches at the neck, you are close to having excellent posture. If you can’t, your posture may need the help of a professional, such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor.

Here are some things to keep in mind when checking your posture. When standing, hold your head high, chin slightly forward, shoulders back and down, chest out, and stomach tight. If you stand all day at work, rest one foot on a stool or take breaks to sit occasionally. When sitting, use a supportive chair with good low back support. If you are working at a table or desk, it should be elbow height, allowing elbows to rest at 90 degrees. Your computer screen should be at eye level so you don’t have to look up or down to see the screen. If necessary, use a foot rest to keep your knees supported around hip height. If you sit long hours for work, ensure you get up to stretch frequently. This can be as simple as standing up and rolling your shoulders, or taking a walk to the printer.

Other things you can do to help your posture and overall health: ensure a healthy body weight, exercise regularly, eat a well-rounded diet, invest in a good mattress and pillow, and be conscious of your work environment and the set-up of your work space.

One type of exercise that is ideal for helping with posture is yoga. Most people don’t realize the multitude of health benefits yoga has to offer. Here are just some of the benefits for the mind and body:
  • Increased range of motion
  • Improved flexibility
  • Improved agility or ease of movement
  • Better posture
  • Increased core strength
  • Improved body awareness
  • Reduced stress
  • Beneficial to the respiratory, lymph, immune, digestive, and circulatory systems of the body
To get a postural assessment and start yoga under the close supervision of a physiotherapist, contact us today to learn more about the programs and services we offer.
​
by Stephanie Brown, Registered Physiotherapist
1 Comment
Living well therapy link
8/7/2018 05:01:41 am

Good posture is a big deal since it helps avoiding back pain and neck pain and plus it doesn't let you get in bad shape. But the problem is we get so busy with our daily lives that we don't even remember to keep posture straight and for that there are products out there that helps you keep your posture straight.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Choice Health Centre

    A team of health care providers who believe that the best way to treat your needs is from a holistic approach.

    p: 1-902-404-3668

      ​Subscribe

      Get our monthly newsletter by email for useful info and tips to help you stay healthy.
    Submit

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    September 2012
    May 2012

    Categories

    All
    Active Release Technique
    Allergies
    ART
    Backpack
    Back Pain
    Bracing
    Bursitis
    Carpal Tunnel
    Chiropractic
    Chronic Illness
    Concussion
    Dairy Foods
    Digestion
    Exercise
    Foot Pain
    Golf
    Gua Sha Therapy
    Headache
    Health Benefits
    Heel Pain
    Hip Pain
    Iliotibial Band
    Injury
    Intramuscular Stimulation
    Joint
    Lactose Intolerance
    Massage
    Massage Therapy
    Migraines
    Muscles
    Musculoskeletal Injuries
    Neck Pain
    Osteopathy
    Paediatric
    Physical Activity
    Physiotherapy
    Plantar Fasciitis
    Posture
    Qi Gong
    Seasonal Affective Disorder
    Shockwave
    Soft Tissue
    Spine
    Tendonitis
    Tennis Elbow
    Tension
    Texting
    The Sciatic Nerve
    Traditional Chinese Medicine
    Traditional Chinese Therapy
    Training
    Trauma
    Webster Technique
    Women's Pelvic Health

    RSS Feed

Choice Health Centre Logo Small
FAQ's
MEDIA
CONTACT
BLOG
Join our mailing list today!

    Choice Newsletter

Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Home
  • Chiropractic
    • About Chiropractic
    • Dr-Erin Kempt-Sutherland-DC
    • Dr-Brigitte MacPhail-DC
    • Dr-Justine Landry-DC
    • Dr-Lindsay Barker-DC
    • Dr-Ryan Robichaud-DC
    • Dr-Arielle Petropolis-DC
  • Physiotherapy
    • About Physiotherapy
    • Saba Chishti-PT
    • Stephanie Brown-PT
    • Laura Gfeller-PT
    • Kendra Brown-PT
    • Daniel Mollins-PT
    • Heidi Kent-PT
  • Massage Therapy
    • About Massage Therapy
    • Kira Sernoskie-RMT
    • Melissa Macaulay-RMT
    • Amber Harper-RMT
    • Michael Chappelle-RMT
  • Disciplines
    • Pedorthics
    • Naturopathic Medicine >
      • Dr-Anna D'Intino, ND
      • Dr-Lauren MacIntosh, ND
      • Prolotherapy
      • IV Therapy
      • Food Sensitivity Testing
      • B12 Injections
    • Acupuncture >
      • Amanda Conrad-Acu
  • Services
    • Women's Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
    • Complete Concussion Management Halifax
    • Shockwave Therapy
    • Wireless Muscle Stimulation
    • Active Release Technique®
    • Custom Foot Orthotics
    • Graston Technique
    • Gait Analysis
    • Low Intensity Laser Therapy
    • Orthopedic Bracing
    • Webster Technique
    • Infrared Sauna Halifax
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Book Online
    • Join Our Team
  • Blog