Remember when your mom used to tell you to sit up straight? It turns out she was right.
Years of poor posture, according to experts, have been shown to put unnecessary pressure on the spine and supporting muscles and ligaments that can result in everything from back pain to muscle strain to degenerative arthritis. And most of us make things worse on a daily basis.
How so?
Research has found that stress, obesity, incorrect posture while sleeping, standing, sitting, working and—for the fashionistas in the group—wearing high heels can all contribute to poor posture.
Making matters worse, back problems cause more than just physical pain—they hurt the wallet, too. "Americans spend at least $50 billion each year [seeking relief from] back pain," notes the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. "And it's one of the most common reasons for missed work."
If you just read those stats while seated at a desk, here's a quick checklist to see if you have correct posture:
• Relax your shoulders, and keep your forearms parallel to the ground when at a keyboard.
• Don't cross your legs.
• Use a footrest if your feet don't touch the floor.
For those who breezed past the checklist, note that almost 20 years ago the federal Agency for Health Care Policy and Research recommended spinal manipulation—often referred to by doctors of chiropractic as an "adjustment"—as a "safe and effective, drugless" treatment for sufferers of low back pain. And the same is still true today.
"Old habits die hard," says Ron Kirk, DC, an avid supporter of the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress and founder of Straighten Up America (straightenupamerica.org). "But a doctor of chiropractic can recommend exercises to strengthen core postural muscles, and can help you choose proper postures to reduce your risk of injury during activities."
For more information, visit www.yes2chiropractic.org.
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