Mind Your Posture Daily
Never before has there been a time in modern history when there were so many daily activities that promote poor, weak posture, thus causing a strain on the spine, and a myriad of potential health problems. The potential for harm to your spine in the following activities is largely due to the poor postural position (forward head posture) typically assumed, but can be avoided with conscience effort.

Consider Your Posture during these Activities

–          When working at a computer, don’t sit with your shoulders rounded, or your neck and head slumped forward. Use your laptop computer on a table or desk instead of on your lap. Sit with your back against your desk chair. Adjust your computer screen to be read at eye level. Sit with your legs uncrossed in front of you, and feet slightly elevated. Your arms and hands should rest on the arms of your chair, and remain level with your desktop, so as to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

–          When talking on the phone, don’t hold the receiver up to your ear with your shoulder. Set the phone down and use the speaker to converse, when you need your hands free.

–          Texting is generally done in a forward head posture, which should be avoided. Instead, hold the texting devise at eye level to avoid text-neck.

–          Keep your back strong and straight and look ahead of you, while jogging or running. This will help you breathe deeply and efficiently, thus enabling you to run longer without tiring as easily.

–          Don’t overload your purse. When carrying a purse with shoulder straps, change the purse frequently from one shoulder to the other. Or, place the purse in your shopping cart.

–          Back packs should never be worn across one shoulder. It should fit snuggly between the shoulder blades and waistline with padded shoulder straps adjusted and the waist strap secured, for even weight distribution. The heaviest contents should be placed closest to the back. According to the American Chiropractic Association, the weight of the back pack should not be more than 5 to 10 percent of the body weight.

–          When reading an electronic device or a traditional book, avoid rounding your shoulders and leaning your head and neck forward. Hold the book up at eye level or purchase a book stand holder that elevates the book for you.

–          When lifting heavy objects, bend your knees slightly to avoid injury to your back. Squat instead of bending over.

Discuss Posture with Your Redmond Chiropractor

Frequent repetition of poor posture in daily activities adds stress to your spine and may indicate the presence of a misalignment. This may lead to chronic headaches, as well as neck and back pain. Pain is an indication of a dysfunction that needs to be corrected. Don’t wait until you or your children experience pain to be evaluated by a chiropractor. Chiropractors are trained to access your posture and spinal condition and make corrective vertebral adjustments, which reduces stress to the nervous system and restores the body’s ability to heal itself.