5 Ways to Improve Your Posture

Your spine connects your brain to the rest of your body and transmits important signals that help you feel your best. So, maintaining proper alignment keeps you healthy and functioning, starting with your posture. And while you’ve probably heard about the importance of posture for comfort and confidence, you likely haven’t received many pointers on improving it.

Here are 5 tips for keeping your spine aligned:

1. Exercise Regularly

Maintaining good posture is made easier when the muscles that support the spine and neck are strong. You should focus on strengthening your back and core which will help you stay upright and stop slouching. Incorporating exercises ranging from weight training to stretching can help the upper and lower back to reinforce your posture.

2. Become More Self Aware

Improving your posture takes a conscious effort, meaning you need to check in with your alignment whenever you sit or stand. When you stand, keep your head straight, tuck your chin, roll your shoulders in line with your ears, don’t poke out your butt, and engage your core. When sitting, be sure to sit up straight and give yourself extra support with an ergonomic chair.

3. Cut Back on Cell Usage

One major culprit of postural issues is the growing use of technology. Text neck is a common condition resulting from constantly looking down at your phone. This unnatural position shifts your alignment, causing pain and tingling in the neck, shoulders, back, and even the arms and hands.

Daily neck stretches and holding your phone at eye level can help alleviate some of the tension and prevent major damage. You can also cut back on your cell usage to reduce the frequency and severity of text neck. 

4. Sleep Well

Have you ever woken up with a sore back or shoulders? That’s because your sleeping arrangements can significantly impact your posture. A firm mattress supports your spine’s natural shape, while your sleeping position maintains alignment.

If you sleep on your side, slightly bend your knees and place a pillow under your neck to keep your head level with your spine. As a back sleeper, be sure to use a thin pillow to avoid placing additional strain on your neck. Sleeping on your stomach pulls your spine in the wrong direction and should be avoided.

5. Chiropractic Care

When it comes to seeing immediate improvements in your posture, chiropractic treatment is your best bet. Your chiropractor specializes in the musculoskeletal system and can address and correct misalignments to help you stand taller and feel more balanced as early as your first visit. Poor posture can lead to pinched nerves, muscle spasms and other discomforts that negatively impact your body’s ability to function. So, chiropractic to improve posture not only realigns your vertebrae but also relieves pressure in tense areas.

Having good posture is more than just a way of exuding confidence; it is also essential to feeling healthy and well. Using chiropractic to improve posture also offers other health benefits like an immune boost, increased mobility and enhanced comfort. At Total Body Chiropractic & Massage, we will work with you to rehabilitate your posture through spinal adjustments and give you lifestyle tips to maintain it over time.