When you hear someone talk about posture they are actually referring to the way that you position your body. You probably remember your mother telling you not to slouch when you were little. Well, she was referring to your posture. You might be surprised to learn that bad posture can lead to a variety of health conditions like trouble breathing, shoulder pain, back pain, headaches, and even neck problems. Millions of people every day
Fatiguing Of The Back Muscles
Keeping your back straight and tall is the best way to maintain great posture, but this can become increasingly difficult the more you do it. The back muscles will eventually get tired and cause the shoulders and spine to sink down. One of the best ways to combat this issue is to frequently change positions.
Incorrect Foot Placement
It doesn’t matter how good your posture is if your foot placement is off this is going to cause your feet to roll inward, which causes your knees to bend and your back to slouching. Dealing with bad positioned feet will eventually cause your entire body to wear out. One of the most effective ways to combat this is to always make sure that you are keeping your feet placed in the upright position while wearing comfortable and supportive shoes.
The Aging Process
As you grow older and age everything eventually begins to wear out. This is including your muscles. Since good posture is based on your muscle strength, as you age your posture could worsen. The best possible way to counteract the aging process is to make sure that you are getting enough daily exercise. Some individuals also even seek the aid of a posture corrector to help aid in supporting the back and spine.
Excessive Weight
Even something as simple as being overweight can play a major role in your posture. If your midsection is larger and heavier it will cause the lumbar region of your body to pull the spine forward. The only way to combat this type of issue is to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regime.
Heredity Problems
Unfortunately, there are some individuals that are born with conditions like scoliosis, uneven limbs, and other deformities. These conditions are passed down from the mother and father. Other than corrective surgery there really isn’t much that can be done about these conditions.
Repeated Motions
Being hunched over a computer screen or steering wheel all day long can have a major negative effect on your posture. If you find yourself in these types of positions for 8 or more hours a day it might be a good idea to invest in some type of product or brace that will help straighten the back and spine.
Previous Or Current Injuries
If you have damaged your back or spine in the past it is entirely possible that this could cause you to experience bad posture. Without corrective surgery, there won’t be much that you can do to combat this type of issue, and in some cases, surgery might not even be enough.
Edited by: Jessa (March 6, 2019)
