Sit up straight! You may have heard this common request before. Maybe you heard this from a parent or guardian, and you just brushed it off because you thought it was just about manners. Posture is not just about how you look. How you position yourself everyday can either help or hurt your health over your lifespan. Having poor posture can affect your range of motion, cause pain and discomfort, as well as increase your risk of falling among other things.
In today’s world, many of us find ourselves glued to our desks for hours on end. Whether you’re an office worker or someone who is health-conscious, understanding the impact of poor posture on your body is crucial. Posture refers to how your spine curves and how your muscles engage when you are sitting or standing. It’s the alignment of your body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity. Good posture involves your spine and muscles working together so you are correctly aligned. Poor posture, on the other hand, can wreak havoc on your body over time. Years of slouching can wear away at your spine, making it fragile and prone to injury. This undue stress on your spine can lead to various complications, including herniated discs and chronic back pain. Poor posture can also impact your ability to stay steady on your feet and increase your risk of falling, which is particularly concerning as we age.
Holding your body and moving in unhealthy ways often leads to neck, shoulder, and back pain. These discomforts not only affect your physical well-being but also impede your daily activities and productivity. Shoulder problems are commonly found among the general population and were identified as the second most frequently reported pain site among adults. A study found that changes in sitting posture affect shoulder range of motion (ROM) in all directions. When you slouch, your shoulders roll forward, limiting their ability to move freely. This restricted movement can lead to stiffness and chronic shoulder pain over time. It is important to maintain good posture because it is essential for flexibility and joint movement.
Poor posture does far more than just making you look slouched. It can significantly affect your range of motion, leading to a host of other health issues. From chronic pain to decreased flexibility, the impacts are far-reaching. Taking steps to improve your posture can have a profound impact on your overall health and well-being. Start by being mindful of how you sit and stand and consider incorporating exercises that promote good posture into your daily routine.
To check out the study of how sitting posture can affect range of motion, click here.
Article written by William Graves.