Only 53% of Americans surveyed reported being concerned about poor posture and how it could impact their health. Considering how many of us have poor posture, this number is quite alarming.
The truth is that your posture can have implications for general health, not just back health. With the amount of “text neck” that people experience, posture should be a bigger concern.
If you’re worried about your own health and want to know how to correct your posture, there are some things that a chiropractor can do to help.
Keep reading below to find out why you should consider seeing a chiropractor for posture and what you can expect during your visit.
Why Is Your Posture Important?
Posture is how we carry our body while standing, sitting, or lying down. When you have good posture, it means that your spine is in a neutral position.
In addition to less overall pain, good posture can reduce stress on ligaments, prevent muscle strain, decrease joint wear, and maintain correct alignment.
Good posture can lead to health benefits because your spine does not have to work hard to maintain its position in the body. It is less stressed and this makes your body less stressed at the same time.
Research shows that poor posture could increase depression and mental health stress. It can also impact confidence levels, lower self-esteem, and make digestion more difficult.
Posture is important to your overall health because it does impact more parts of your body than meets the eye. As a result, improving bad posture should be a goal for anyone that wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Signs You Have Bad Posture
It can be hard to tell if your posture is bad if you aren’t sure what good posture is supposed to look like.
A simple check in the mirror will tell you what you need to know. Look at yourself and notice the following:
- Are your shoulders uneven?
- Are your shoulders hunched forward or rounded?
- Is your upper back rounded?
- Are you carrying your head facing downward?
If you see any of these things, this could indicate that you have bad posture.
Another simple way to notice if your posture is bad is to imagine there is a string pulling you up, starting from your tailbone and going up to the base of your neck. The string should be straight down your body.
If you find yourself making many adjustments to get to this neutral position, you could have bad posture in your regular stance.
Poor posture is common and doesn’t come from being lazy or ignorant about its effects. Instead, it can result from:
- Obesity
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- High-heeled shoes
- Weak postural muscles
- Tight or strained muscles
- Medical conditions
- Slouching
- Genetics
- Weak or damaged muscles
- Inactivity
Correcting bad posture is important because it can impact the integrity of your spine or nervous system over time.
How Seeing a Chiropractor for Posture Can Help
A chiropractor will be able to help you adjust your posture by applying pressure to specific regions of your body. This treatment must be administered by someone trained in chiropractic services to avoid injury.
As the patient, you will be asked to lie down in a certain position, depending on where the adjustment will take place. After this, the chiropractor will perform adjustments to your spine and improve the areas that are impacted or causing your bad posture.
Chiropractors can work on bones or attached muscles. By adjusting these tissues, the chiropractor will help you maintain good posture and correct imbalances in the soft tissue at the same time.
Muscle releases and strengthening exercises are likely to be encouraged as well to make sure that your posture can be maintained. Being aware of your spinal position will help you create better habits and avoid bad posture.
Seeing a skilled chiropractor for bad posture doesn’t have to be scary! They will help you find the balance you need and make sitting or standing even more comfortable with proper realignment and rehabilitation.
What to Expect at the Chiropractor’s Office
The chiropractor will first do an assessment to review the state of your spine and joints. If the chiropractor notices restrictions, these are the first places that adjustments will need to be made.
After this, the doctor will initiate movements that will help restore your range of motion, especially if it is interfering with nerve communication. The goal of this is to stimulate the body’s innate healing process and encourage the body to work as it is meant to.
After you have your posture adjusted, you have to maintain it and avoid falling back into old habits. One way that your chiropractor may encourage this is by asking you to be more mindful of your posture throughout the day.
Going to the chiropractor for poor posture is about more than just having your posture corrected. They will help you with your body’s movements and teach you ways to preserve your neutral spine in the future.
Do You Want to Fix Your Posture?
When you’re ready to see a chiropractor for posture, we are here for you!
At Elite Spine and Health Center, we want to connect with you and help you figure out which chiropractic treatment is best. If we’re unable to provide you with the help you need, we will offer a referral to the proper healthcare professional.
Don’t suffer in silence any longer. Let us assist you with fixing your posture and improve your quality of life.
Do you have any questions or need more information? Call us today at our Westchase or Spring locations and set up an appointment online.
