There are some pieces of advice that our mothers said that were better than others. No, maybe your face won't freeze like that. But she was right when she told you to sit up straight. In today's society, many of us spend the majority of our day working sedentary jobs, requiring us to sit for hours at a time. Even if you don't spend a lot of time sitting, proper posture is important. In fact, your spine's health depends on it!
Check Your Posture
Take a moment right now and check your posture.
Are you sitting in a chair with adequate lumbar support? Does the chair's backrest fit the natural curve of your spine?
Are your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, with your feet flat on the floor?
Are your shoulders, back, and buttocks against the backrest of the chair?
Are you distributing your body weight equally across both of your hips?
Are your shoulders relaxed and even?
Are your knees level with your hips?
Did you answer "no" to any of these questions? If so, you are unknowingly putting extra stress on your spine, which can eventually lead to back pain.
Change Those Habits!
Though it seems challenging, you can work on changing how you sit and you will be well on your way to great posture. It's not a good idea to sit in the same position for too long, so be sure to get up and stretch about every 45 minutes. If you are a habitual sloucher, you are creating a negative effect on the discs between your vertebrae, which may cause them to bulge or herniate. Remember to take a short break and stand up, stretch your back and legs, and take a short walk around the office.
If you are already suffering from back pain and think posture may be the problem, give us a call and we will help you on your journey towards a healthy spine!