Good Posture To Minimize Your Chance of Injury
Posture – Tips for healthy posture
We’ve all done it – nagged a friend, family member, or loved one to sit up straight, shoulders back, chin up, etc. Truth is, most of us have probably been on the receiving end of the exact same comments too. Countless hours spent hunched over desks, watching TV, on our computers or tablets, and carrying around heavy loads like backpacks and bags can take a toll on our bodies and, above all, our posture.
Good posture is described as a position in which the least amount of unnecessary stress and strain is placed on our body’s joints. This is done by keeping our center of gravity aligned through the joints of our body that are specifically intended to carry our weight.
On the other hand, bad posture implies any deviations from this ideal body alignment, which can be observed by rounded shoulders, forward necks, and slouched backs. These kinds of deviations cause unnecessary stress on our muscles and other tissues such as our ligaments that aren’t designed to carry our weight. This excessive stress can then lead to sprains and strains as well as pain in the neck, back, hips, and shoulders. What’s more, poor posture can cause headaches, affect our circulation, increase our levels of fatigue, and can contribute to disc problems such as herniation over time.
Bad posture can be the result of many factors such as weak muscles, stress, bad shoes, a lack of lumbar support when sitting, an unsupportive mattress, or bad workplace ergonomics, among many others!
Here are some quick tips and tricks for maintaining ideal posture in sitting, standing, and while sleeping!
Sitting
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Do:
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Avoid:
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Standing
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Do:
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Avoid:
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Sleeping
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Do:
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Avoid:
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If you’re having aches and pain and think it might be related to your posture, call Bellefleur Physiotherapy at 613-424-7852 to schedule an assessment with one of our physiotherapists who will work with you to create a treatment plan addressing any areas of concern, including posture if necessary!
