Mom was right

Stand up straight

Modern people are hunched forward on their phones, computers, and behind the steering wheel all day long. This can be the cause of a lot of neck and back pain. It pushes our head and our centre of gravity forward, causing a strain our neck. It increases curve in your thoracic spine, which may prevent you from breathing properly with your diaphragm, further exacerbating pain and stiffness. Evolutionarily this slumped forward posture is a defensive position and triggers the release of stress hormones leading to even more tension. 

By being a little more conscious of our posture we can stand straighter, move better and feel good. Get somebody to take a picture of you from the side and see what your posture looks like.

• Your chin and neck should be back with your ears over your shoulders

• Standing in a neutral position your thumbs should be pointing forward

• Externally rotate the shoulders instead of pointing them toward each other

• Your pelvic floor should be parallel to your diaphragm, you can accomplish this by tilting your pelvis posteriorly (similar to the motion made during intercourse)

• Keep the front of the  rib cage tucked down instead of flaring out.   

• If none of the above makes sense, or your side picture looks atrocious - call us today!

Change your environment

• Try holding the phone up to look at it instead of looking down at it

• Take frequent breaks from computer work and sitting

• Stand and walk more at work and at home

• Breath through your nose, which stimulants your parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system, and activates your diaphragm

• Try corrective exercises that stretch the soft tissue that becomes tight from slumping and strengthen the tissue that become weak.  

This will not be comfortable at first but your brain and body will adapt in time and your joints, soft tissue, and even your organs will thank you down the road. 

Want to learn more about posture? Click HERE