Remember how your parents, elder siblings, teachers, and elders collectively called upon you when you were hunched over your phone, comic books, video games, or computers? In 2022, a study of adults who often practice bad posture when using gadgets found that more than 70% of the responders complained of bad posture problems, including back, shoulder, and neck pain.
However, the hunched-back generation is at its brim, thanks to office-goers and gadgets-addicted children. Thankfully, a better posture is one of the benefits of chiropractic care, a drug-free approach to a fitter physique. Learning about chiropractors and their tools and techniques can help you lead pain-free lives without medicines or complex surgeries. Additionally, find our free resource at the end to help you get started now. Let us begin by understanding all about postures.
What Is Good Posture vs Bad Posture?
Good posture isn’t just about standing straight so you look your best. Holding your body right can help prevent and fix many health and spinal issues. Posture can be of two types:
- Static posture refers to how your body is aligned when stationary, such as sitting, standing, or sleeping.
- Dynamic posture refers to your posture when moving, walking, or running.
Good Posture and the Three Natural Curves
Your spinal cord has three natural bends: at your neck, mid-back area, and lower back. The benefits of chiropractic care include maintaining these bends without increasing them. Ideally, your head should be directly above your shoulders, and your shoulders should align vertically with your hips.
Bad Posture and Misalignment of Curves
Slouching, arching, or bending forward while sitting can affect the natural bends in your spinal cord, leading to misalignment and musculoskeletal problems. Let us now see the major causes behind these problems.
What Are the Main Causes of Bad Posture?
Have you ever observed the movements of a young child? You might notice their effortless running, standing, or sitting and their body resembling a graceful ‘S’ curve. As we grow up, slouching and bending become too common, leading to bad postures. Common causes include:
- Sedentary lifestyle: Spending long hours sitting can lead to slouching and poor alignment.
- Poor ergonomics: Incorrectly adjusted furniture can encourage awkward positions that strain the spine and muscles.
- Footwear: Shoes with improper support or high heels can alter your body's alignment, negatively affecting your posture.
- Excessive weight: Carrying excess body weight can strain the spine and joints, leading to postural changes to compensate.
What Problems Can Bad Posture Cause?
Bad posture can cause several problems. Whether consciously or not, many of us slouch, impacting our spine's health. Poor posture can lead to various adverse effects on our bodies. Some of the typical ones are:
- Musculoskeletal issues: Poor posture can lead to stiffness, muscle tension, and pain, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and lower back, potentially causing long-term discomfort.
- Decreased flexibility and mobility: Incorrect posture limits your ability to move freely and comfortably, affecting daily activities and exercise routines.
- Impact on respiratory and digestive function: Slumping or leaning forward can compress the lungs, reduce breathing efficiency, and may affect digestion by compressing abdominal organs.
At this stage, you may seek the role of chiropractors in posture correction.
The Role of Chiropractors in Posture Correction
Chiropractors play an important role in improving posture and enhancing spinal health. They are trained to identify and fix posture problems without drugs or surgeries. Below is how they do it:
- Identifying spinal misalignments: Chiropractors are trained to detect and diagnose spinal misalignments (subluxations) that contribute to poor posture.
- Improving postural awareness: They educate patients about proper posture, spinal alignments, and ergonomic practices to prevent future misalignments.
- Tailored care: Chiropractors often integrate exercises, stretches, and lifestyle advice to support posture correction and overall spinal health.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Posture Correction
Chiropractic care can transform your posture, reduce the risk of developing a hunched back, and prevent severe injuries and mishaps. The major benefits include:
- Pain relief: Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate pain in the neck, back, and joints by addressing underlying spinal issues and reducing nerve interference.
- Improved posture and mobility: Through spinal adjustments and corrective exercises, chiropractors help restore proper alignment and flexibility promoting better posture and reducing the risk of future problems.
- Natural approach: Chiropractic care is holistic, focusing on the body's natural ability to heal and function optimally without invasive procedures or medications.
Tips for Posture Correction and Maintenance
While chiropractic care can help correct wrong posture and provide useful guidance for maintaining flexibility and core strength, maintaining good posture requires a more comprehensive approach. See some helpful tips below:
- Be mindful: Regularly check your posture throughout the day. Ensure your head is aligned with your shoulders and your shoulders with your hips.
- Adjust your workspace: Ensure your chair, desk, and computer are ergonomic. Your feet should be flat on the floor, and your screen should be at eye level.
- Strengthen core muscles: To support your spine, practice exercises that strengthen your core muscles, such as planks and abdominal workouts.
- Use supportive footwear: Wear shoes that provide proper support, and avoid high heels for extended periods, as they can affect your alignment.
How Tustin Chiropractors Can Help
Our chiropractic care for posture correction utilizes hands-on and instrument-assisted spinal manipulation to adjust your spine. Before initiating treatment, the chiropractor evaluates postural issues such as scoliosis, neck damage, and lower back curvature. Our approach is a comprehensive, multi-stage process comprising:
- Posture assessment: The first step in treatment involves assessing the natural curves of the neck, middle, and lower back. The chiropractor will evaluate your spinal alignment and measure any deviations. This posture examination is essential for developing a treatment plan.
- Precise adjustments: Once postural imbalances and misalignments are identified, the chiropractor will perform joint adjustments using varying techniques and forces to correct these issues and restore joint mobility. These adjustments are tailored to each individual, using specific methods to address the posture problem.
- Soft tissue therapy: Chiropractors also use soft tissue massage therapy to relieve tension in muscles that have become stiff due to poor posture. This therapy enhances muscle flexibility and improves posture over several sessions.
- Guided exercises: Stretching exercises help relieve tension in weak muscles and strengthen them. Chiropractic treatment includes these exercises to help you maintain good posture for the long term.
Chiropractic Care Is Essential for Posture Problems
Chiropractic care is essential for correcting and enhancing posture. Chiropractors specialize in identifying and treating spinal misalignments, referred to as subluxations, that can greatly affect posture. By spinal adjustments, chiropractors realign the spine, freeing nerve and muscle pressure.
Posture Correction Without Invasive Treatment at Active Chiropractic & Laser Center
At Active Chiropractic & Laser Center, we aim to help you achieve the perfect alignment and balance for posture correction. Our effective treatment strategies get you better spinal health and pain-free living without complex surgeries or medications. Still in doubt? Download our free Super 6 posture exercises to start today, or schedule an appointment to learn more.
