The Importance of Good Posture

Poor posture leads to a numerous of health problems that build up over time. However, far too many people have developed poor postural habits. Posture has major impact on how you project yourself. If you slouch with your head stooped, then you are giving the message that you may be lacking in self-confidence and self-esteem.

There are advantages of good posture not only for the physical appearance but also for the health as well. If you have a good posture, stomach in and chest out, you appear as though you have instantly lost few kilos. Perfect posture indicates a slimmer and more confident person. From the health point of view, it can assist in reducing the likelihood of back pain and headaches and spinal related health issues.

What is notional good posture? The body is intended to stand with the eyes level. When viewed from the front, then the shoulders and hips should be level and (from the back) the spine should be vertical. From the side, the ear should be directly over the shoulder, the shoulder over the greater trochanter (hip), the hip over the knee and finally the knee is over the ankle.

The easiest signs to spots of poor posture stress are one ear being at a different level to the other or the shoulders and/or hips not being level. From the side, posture posture can be indicated by the ear being forward of the shoulder.

To do a rough check to see if there may be issues with your posture then stand with your back against a wall. If your each of your bottom, head and upper back touches the wall, then from the front/back aspect your posture is probably not too bad.

Most practitioners consider that the building block of good posture originates from the feet. Any imbalances in the arches of the feet, for example, can set off a chain reaction all the way up the legs, the pelvis and into the spine. One indication of imbalances with the feet occurs when one foot point out (or in) more than the other. For perfect posture then both feet are required to point forward with maybe just a slight flare outwards when you walk.

If you suffer from poor as a result of incorrect foot balance then it is considered to be important to have your feet examined by a suitably qualified health care professional to determine orthotics may be helpful. Orthotics provide a solid foundation for the pelvis and spine by limiting excessive motion in the feet.

Tips for Good Posture Tips When Standing

- Keep your feet about shoulder width apart from each other and maintain your weight on the balls of your feet.

- Keep your knees relaxed - not locked.

- Have your arms hang naturally.

- Keep your shoulders relaxed whilst still being upright.

- Maintain your head level. Do not push it forward in front of the neck and spine.

- Stand up straight!

Tips of Good Posture Tips When Sitting Down

- Get up often - stretch as much as you can.

- Keep both feet flat on the floor. If you feet do not touch the floor then use a footrest.

- Use an ergonomic chair (and desk set up). Align your back with the back of the chair ensuring there is sufficient lumbar support.

- Never slouch or lean forward

- Make sure when you are sitting that your knees are level with your hips

- Keep your shoulders straight.

As soon as you begin to adopt good posture then you may feel improvements in the way you carry yourself. Other advantages of good posture will be that you:

- Reduce likelihood of neck and back problems.

- Reduce the risk of arthritis by ensuring that your joints do not wear abnormally.

- Prevent your spine from becoming fixed in an non-natural position. Chiropractors claim that this may lead to blood vessels and nerves being constricted. Also problems with the spinal discs and other joints in the body can result leading to headaches, back pain and other health related issues

- Have fewer strains and aches since you will not be overusing particular muscle groups and joints.

Maintaining correct posture need not imply that you walk around like a strutting peacock. Good posture merely suggests that you align your ears directly over the centre of your shoulders and also your hip joint. If you can sketch that line mentally then all you need to do is to line your body up correspondingly. Shoulders need to be down and back down, with the chin and chest raised slightly and the waist drawn ever so slightly in.

Paying attention to your posture is the quickest way that you can benefit your health and appearance. So straighten up, relax the shoulders, tuck your tummy in and begin to realise the improvements that good posture can bring.