3 Risks of Poor Posture on Spine Health

Posture is always a topic that comes up in every conversation I have related to my career. But the question is, what is posture and what can it look like? Well, posture refers to the position and alignment of the body that puts the least amount of stress on the muscles, joints, ligaments, and more. A huge factor to having good posture is maintaining the body in a way that keeps the spine in a neutral position. This allows for optimal function from all parts of the human body.

Some characteristics of good posture can include:

  • A straight, upright spine with a natural curve in the lower back.
  • Shoulders pulled back and down while still being relaxed
  • Chest open and facing the correct direction
  • Head is balanced in line over the spine

Ultimately, posture is the position that one holds their body when doing everyday tasks. That being said, there are many different ways to maintain good posture throughout your daily life. Good posture can be maintained while standing, sitting, walking, and even sleeping. Other ways that good posture can be utilized is to change the way you look. For example, having good posture makes you seem more confident which is great for your charisma. As you can tell by now, posture is important and can heavily affect our daily lives.

What Can Symptoms of Poor Posture Look Like?

If you are experiencing back pain, headaches, or even digestive problems, it is possible that they are being caused by your posture. Poor posture can be the root cause of a variety of issues, many of which are more than just physical. Beyond the physical pain and discomfort, poor posture can also cause a range of other symptoms such as incontinence, heartburn, slow digestion, and constipation. While these symptoms may not be as noticeable or reported as often as the physical issues, they can have a major impact on your daily life and should not be ignored.

If left untreated, you can develop even more major issues or injuries in the future such as

  • Degenerative disk disease
  • Arthritis
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Shoulders and neck pain
  • Chronic headache or migraines.
  • Strain on the circulatory system
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Mental health issues

Some of these are common issues that our close family and friends suffer from on a daily basis. Posture might be the last thing that can cross their minds when it comes to these issues. But maintaining good posture is genuinely important in keeping our physical and mental health. Having a good posture only comes with benefits and is rather easy to obtain.

How Can I Have Good Posture?

There are different ways to have good posture. While some are more effective than others, all methods will contribute greatly. One easy way to start your journey of having good posture to exercises. Some exercises to help maintaining posture include:

  • Shoulder blade squeeze
  • Chest stretch
  • Wall angels
  • Cat stretch
  • Planks

While exercises are great ways to improve posture, luckily for you, there is more that can be done. For most efficient results, you should schedule a visit with a chiropractor and be evaluated for alignment. Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who specialize in diagnosis and treatment on the spine. Evaluations can determine chronic conditions, health, and possible issues that may arise in the future. Even if you are not experiencing issues currently, you can prevent posture related issues for the future. Ultimately, it is only beneficial to get regular checkups and you should too.

Good News! NUCCA Chiropractor Can Help!

Exercises are a great way to improve posture, but there’s more you can do. To get the best results, schedule an appointment with a NUCCA chiropractor to be evaluated for possible upper cervical misalignment. NUCCA chiropractors are healthcare professionals who specialize in examining head and neck spinal misalignments that may contribute to chronic poor posture. Evaluations can show how your posture is now, and may reveal any potential issues that could arise in the future. Even if you’re not experiencing any issues now, you can prevent posture-related problems in the future. It’s worth finding out if you’re a good candidate for Upper Cervical Chiropractic care.

If you are looking for an Upper Cervical Chiropractor in Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, please ask for an initial consultation with Dr. Wontaek Hwang, DC at Head and Neck Spinal Care in Wheeling. You can also call (847) 497-5003 if you need immediate assistance.

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