bad postureDid your mom tell you to stand up straight when you were a kid? Did your dad scold you for slouching? Turns out they might have saved you from lots of pain and expensive health problems.

Recent studies have shown the negative effects that modern technology has on posture. A major danger is “text neck”–dropping the neck to stare at a phone or tablet. That position puts major pressure on neck muscles, causing soreness, headaches, and spine problems. Text neck is especially dangerous for the younger generation, who are developing bad posture habits that may cause significant health problems if uncorrected.

But bad posture is more universal than text neck. It extends to sitting, standing, and sleeping. Here’s why bad posture is a problem.

The Dangers of Bad Posture

Bad posture, whether it be standing, sitting, or sleeping, causes a multitude of health problems. Here are just a few:

Sore muscles

Do you find yourself rubbing your back or neck after a long day? That pain is probably caused by poor posture. Standing or sitting incorrectly puts unnatural pressure on your muscles, causing soreness that can lead to headaches and other complications.

Fatigue

When you’re not using your body the way it’s designed to be used, all your systems have to work harder. Additionally, slumping can restrict your breathing, which means your muscles aren’t getting enough oxygen, which leads to the soreness mentioned above. All those complications contribute to a daily exhaustion, which leads to lazier posture, which exacerbates the problem.

Spine and joint problems

Consistently poor posture strains your spine and joints, leading to long-term problems if not corrected. In some cases, it even causes vertebrae deterioration and scoliosis.

 

How to Fix Bad Posture

Thankfully, bad posture can be fixed! The most important step is becoming conscious of correct posture and intentionally using it. You can find helpful guides to posture online, like this one, which shows pictures of correct posture when sitting, standing, walking, running, and sleeping. Text neck can be avoided by stretching periodically, holding your device higher, and exercising your neck.

If you are still struggling with pain or can’t figure out how to fix your posture, our office can help! Dr. Fiss can suggest corrections to your posture, helping you become more aware of the correct posture. Additionally, small adjustments can sometimes make good posture easier.

Change your posture and eliminate your pain for a happier, healthier life!

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