Position of strength
Sore muscles. fatigue. constipation. headache. All could be related to poor posture.
by Erica Perkins, UVA fitness director
Your mom may not have known it, but the advice she gave you as a child was essential to your health as an adult. If you don't ‘sit up tall' and ‘stand up straight,' you may have muscle aches, stiff joints, constipation and even headaches. Poor posture can also make you feel tired and make it harder to perform daily tasks such as getting in and out bed.
how important is good posture?
It's just as vital as exercising, eating right, getting a good night's sleep and avoiding drugs and tobacco. In some cases, poor posture can be the result of an accident, but most often it's the result of lifestyle habits. Slouching in front of a computer or while driving, and bending or lifting from the waist can all take their toll.what bad posture can do
Your muscles can be permanently shortened or stretched when a slumped over position becomes your normal position. Even worse, these muscles and ligaments that have been shortened or stretched no longer function as they should.
A forward-head position can cause headaches and pain in the shoulders, arms, hands and around the eyes. Slumped shoulders can trigger headaches at the base of your skull.
A forward-head position can cause jaw pain (known as TMJ, temporomandibular joint disease.) Once considered a dental problem, we now know that TMJ pain also may be caused or aggravated by poor posture.
Bad posture can cause your spine to move from its proper positioning and interfere with nerve function.
If your spine arches and your pelvis tilts forward, your intestines may sag and cause constipation.
straighten up
The good news is you can improve your posture by maintaining a healthy weight (extra weight around the middle pulls on the back and causes weak abdominal muscles), stretching every day to keep your muscles long so joints can move without restriction, exercising regularly so muscles can support good posture, and designing a workspace that fits you, including a chair height adjusted properly to your desk.
Get good posture Our fitness expert reveals the best way to stand, sit, drive and sleep.
This article appeared in the summer 2008 issue of Vim & Vigor, a family health magazine sponsored by UVA Health System. If you don't already receive it at home, sign up today. It's free.