How Are You Standing?

What can your posture tell you about your spine and your overall health? Well actually quite a lot. Posture is the window to the spine, it can tell you a lot about any problems your having with your spine or nervous system. Poor spinal alignment can indicate vertebral subluxation (a misalignment of the spinal vertebra) which can effect spinal joints & discs which causes changes in the nerve functions & spinal muscular (which could lead to disc/joint arthritis, as well as affect the functions of any body area supported by that nerve including organs, glands, as well as the system of the body).
Good posture is important because it helps us keep our bones and joints in their corrected alignment that way our muscles are used correctly. Other bonus for having good posture include reduced stress on ligaments (it can minimize the likelihood of injury), helps you breath properly, helps concentration/thinking ability, and it makes you feel good (standing up straight sends a signal to your brain making your feel happier and confident).

 Here at Health for Life we will search for the problems that exist under poor posture. We'll look at stance, alignment of knees, leveling of hip or pelvis, height differences across shoulders and tilting of head and neck, and possibly observations while walking.
The following came from ACA's Tips For Maintaining Good Posture

How do I sit properly?

• Keep your feet on the floor or on a footrest, if they don't reach the floor.
• Don't cross your legs. Your ankles should be in front of your knees.
• Keep a small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat.
• Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips.
• Adjust the backrest of your chair to support your low- and mid-back or use a back support.
• Relax your shoulders and keep your forearms parallel to the ground.
• Avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time.

How do I stand properly?

• Bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet.
• Keep your knees slightly bent.
• Keep your feet about shoulder-width apart.
• Let your arms hang naturally down the sides of the body.
• Stand straight and tall with your shoulders pulled backward.
• Tuck your stomach in.
• Keep your head level-your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders. Do not push your head forward, backward, or to the side.
• Shift your weight from your toes to your heels, or one foot to the other, if you have to stand for a long time.

What is the proper lying position?

• Find the mattress that is right for you. While a firm mattress is generally recommended, some people find that softer mattresses reduce their back pain. Your comfort is important.
• Sleep with a pillow. Special pillows are available to help with postural problems resulting from a poor sleeping position.
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
• Sleeping on your side or back is more often helpful for back pain.
• If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs.
• If you sleep on your back, keep a pillow under your knees

 If you have any questions, or concerns about your posture stop by and see us at our office in South Ogden or give us a call at 801.475.6800!