How To Fix Bad Posture

Can you correct years of bad posture?

Bad posture is one of those health problems that “sneak” up on us. Often, we don’t realise we have posture problems until we experience back pain.

Checking your posture is important. Spending too many hours sitting slumped on the sofa is as bad for your posture as lifting heavy objects the wrong way.

 Top Tips On How to Fix Your Posture

Fixing your posture is not always something you can do yourself. It is best to see a professional when it causes you pain and discomfort.

Following medical advice is important. Establishing a best-practice living routine can stop posture problems from re-occurring.

Let’s look at some of the top tips which can help you.

Walking Tall and Proud

There is a connection between walking and better posture.

When we walk, we are more or less forced to adopt an upright position. This simple action helps to lengthen and straighten our tendons and muscles.

Walking also lifts our spine out of the pelvis. You are now in the perfect alignment to exercise and improve your posture.

If you find walking with your back straight challenging invest in a pair of Scandinavian walking poles. Walking with poles helps to maintain a better body position and increases posture awareness. 

Consider wearing a posture corrector when you are managing posture problems.

Buy A Good Armchair

Sofas appear comfortable but can wreak havoc with our spinal alignment.

Next time you sit on your sofa, check your posture. Are you sitting straight?

Instead of sitting on the sofa to binge-watch your favourite Netflix series, consider buying an armchair.

A supportive armchair helps to improve your seating position. Adding a footstool to your armchair also helps you to sit better.

We often forget to check our posture as we go about our daily lives. Are you guilty of that?

It can be something as simple as lifting grocery bags or driving your car. Make sure you check how your back feels throughout the day.

Gentle Posture Exercises

Aerobic exercises are great for your heart and lungs. Depending on which ones you do, they help to burn calories as well.

Something they don’t do is to build strength.

As we get older, strength is essential when it comes to maintaining our health.

When you want to stay healthy and fit as you age, you should focus on building muscle and aerobic capacity in equal measures.

What are the best exercises for improving posture?

Yoga, Tai Chi and weight training are three gentle exercises which help to improve muscle quality. Not only do they improve muscle quality, they also boost our mind-body connection. 

When we practice these types of exercises, we are also “forced” to think about our posture. Regularly participating in yoga and Tai Chi classes can quickly reduce back pain and incorrect spinal alignment.

Although walking helps build muscle in the legs, it does not necessarily improve overall muscle quality. Is there an exercise which helps?

If yoga, Tai Chi and weight training are not for you, consider swimming.

Swimming is unique. It helps improve aerobic capacity as you swim through the water. You are also working against the water. This means you build muscle at the same time.

Take a look at regular swimmers. You find they often have long lean muscles and great posture.

Massages Can Help Improve Posture

Massages are a useful tool to have in your toolbox.

That does not mean you should go every week. Instead, try to aim for a regular massage once a month. This is a great way to enjoy the physical and emotional benefits of massage.

Massages help to unlock muscle knots and reduce inflammation.

One of the main benefits of regular massages is the removal of toxins from the small blood vessels in the tendon and muscles. When this happens, you experience less inflammation and pain.

Just like exercises, massages help to improve blood flow leading to better oxygen intake.

We are more likely to stand proud and tall when we feel better. Needless to say, this improves posture.

Posture Supports

Can physical support help improve posture? The answer to the question is overwhelmingly yes.

Wearing a belt when you exercise helps to maintain the correct alignment. Don’t think this is going to hinder your exercise.

Instead, you find yourself benefiting more from your exercise than before. When you wear a support, exercising is more comfortable. It also lets you focus on the relevant muscle groups.

If you spend many hours sitting when you do your job, wearing a dedicated support helps.

Ergonomic chairs have many benefits. But, physiotherapists know most of us don’t use them to their full advantage.

Ergonomic chairs need to be set up to benefit us. This means you need to adjust the height and backrest to suit your personal needs. Most of us never do this.

What about stand-up desks? Although they are not a posture support, they can help. Once again, it is important to make sure your standing desk is at the right height. If you use it for your laptop, check that the screen and keyboard height is correct. Unless adjusted correctly, your stand-up desk does not benefit you.

Lifting and repetitive work challenges our posture. Injuries are more common in workplaces where you are required to handle goods.

Over recent years, employers have become more responsible and supply their staff with physical supports including posture correctors.

If your employer recommends you use one, don’t say no. It is in your best interest.

Final Thoughts

Don’t make bad posture a lifestyle. Surprisingly many people go down this route and end up with lower back pain or other health issues.

Use one or more of the tips on this page to naturally improve your posture. It is easy to focus on just one way of correcting posture. What works the best is a range of ideas.

Go swimming and exercise but don’t forget physical supports have an important role to play.

Brought to you by Your Back Pain Relief