If you find yourself experiencing pain or aches in the back, it could be your posture that needs addressing. Good posture is the lynchpin of good back health, but problems are incredibly common. Here at the Back Room Chiropractic Clinic, we can give you pointers on how to address this easily corrected problem.
See a Chiropractor
One of the most effective things you can do to improve your posture is to discuss your symptoms with a chiropractor. Ben will take a full history and examination to help recognise issues in your posture and identify any reasons why these problems may have occurred over time. He can recommend exercises and stretches for you to implement at home.
Make time for stretching
In the morning or evening, make time for stretching. These exercises can help correct posture: stretches can help you warm up your muscles, become more flexible, and gain more confidence in the way your body moves. The more supple and flexible your body is, the better you’ll be able to improve your posture.
Recognise when you’re slouching, and understand how to correct your posture
One of the biggest triggers of bad posture is slouching. We can all be prone to slouching: it is an easy habit to fall into. If you are aware of how slouching affects posture, you’ll probably be able to identify it in other people as they walk, use their phone, or even as they are sitting (for example on a train, car, or at your desk).
A good trick is to recognise when you slouch the most, and make a conscious effort to correct yourself. When you’re on your phone, hold it to eye level, so you don’t need to bend to look at it. When you’re walking stand up straight, or when you’re sitting straighten your back and sit upright. Simple corrections like this can make a big difference.
Check your sleep position
You may find yourself with bad posture because your body is compensating for a bad night’s sleep. If you wake up with back ache, it’s easy to slouch or adjust your posture to compensate for the pain. It is important to try and work out what is preventing you from sleeping peacefully, and aim to resolve it. You may need to look at whether you are getting adequate support from your mattress or pillow.
Check your workstation
We spend a lot of our waking hours at work, so it is important to address your posture during this time. Your employers may be able to help with assessing your workstation to see it is ergonomically correct. Simple measures, such as making sure your back is well supported when you are sitting, or that you are well positioned in front of a computer screen can make huge differences.