Everyone already knows that bad posture can lead to back problems, but did you realize that it also impacts your overall health? When you do not maintain proper posture, you are causing several of the systems in your body to become misaligned. When these systems are not aligned, your body cannot function efficiently. It can cause you to suffer from various ailments.
Ways Bad Posture Can Negatively Effect You
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Chronic Pain
Bad posture place extra pressure on joints that are not meant to bear it. This pressure over time can permanently damage these joints and result in chronic pain. When your spine is misaligned, you will also suffer from aches and pains. The only way to keep your spine in alignment is to practice good posture at all times.
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Neurological Issues
As previously mentioned, bad posture can lead to your spine falling out of alignment. When this happens, it can have neurological impacts on your whole body. Your spine is full of nerves that connect to the rest of your body. Keeping your spine aligned is key to achieving overall good health. Maintaining good posture and chiropractic care is a great way to achieve this goal.
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Loss of Sleep
Since bad posture leads to aches and pains, it is apparent that it will affect your sleep quality. Once you are suffering from chronic pain, you will find it impossible to get comfortable at night. The lack of comfort will make it hard for you to get to sleep. Let alone stay asleep.
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Digestive Issues
When you do not practice proper posture, you are causing your digestive system to work harder. Slouching causes parts of the digestive system to become pinched or folded, making it harder for your digestive system to function. Lousy posture can slow digestion, cause indigestion, and many other issues.
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Cardiovascular Issues
Our body is full of blood veins that are busy circulating blood to and from our lungs to the rest of our body. When we maintain proper posture, the blood can move quickly through our veins without issue. When we slouch or sit incorrectly, we can pinch these veins and cause blood flow to stop or decrease significantly. This lack of blood flow is usually the reason your hands or feet “fall asleep.”
Tips to Maintain Proper Posture
Now that you know several of the ways bad posture can affect you, you are probably wondering, “How to combat bad posture?”.Here are several tips and tricks you can use to help train yourself to use proper posture and be more conscious of it.
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String on Top of The Head Technique
One way to help yourself stand tall is to imagine a string attached to the top of your head and someone is constantly holding it up. Thinking of someone always pulling you up should help you to stand with your head held high.
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Shoulders Back
When you are using proper posture, your shoulders should be back; this will make your chest look more prominent. You also want to tighten your abdomen; your core muscles are essential to maintaining good posture.
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Remember to Sit With Proper Posture
It is not only essential to stand tall, but you must also make sure you are maintaining proper posture when you are seated. This is an easy task to maintain if you will only be sitting for a short period. However, suppose you need to remain seated for an extended period. In that case, you need to make sure to provide yourself with the appropriate support.
To maintain proper posture while seated, you will need to make sure that your lower back and tail bone are both adequately supported. Your lower back is also referred to as your lumbar, and you can easily find a lumbar cushion to use. A quality seat cushion will help adequately support your tail bone. This cushion will position your body so that all of the pressure caused by sitting can be evenly distributed between the thighs and hips.
Good Posture = Good Health
It is time for you to start making a conscious effort to always use proper posture. Now that you know how many adverse effects lousy posture can have on your body. Remember to always think about that string that is pulling you up from the top of your head. This tip will help you to always be conscious of the way you are standing and sitting.
When you need to be seated for an extended time, make sure that you always have your lumbar support and seat cushion with you. You can purchase both in sizes that will easily travel. You must practice proper posture if you want to be in good health. Start being me more conscious of it and you will be able to tell the difference in no time.