If you are experiencing back pain, neck pain, or discomfort in your shoulders or legs, it could be a sign of poor posture. For example, it’s easier to slouch over when you’re sitting at the desk or lying on a couch to relax, even though it might not be the most supportive furniture. You might even be sleeping on a bad mattress or in an awkward position. If you want to try and ease your aches and pains, try the following tips to improve your posture and see if it makes a difference.
Try Yoga or Pilates
These exercises will help to strengthen your core muscles and help you achieve the correct alignment of your spine. By working on your core muscles, it can help to relieve pressure from your back muscles too, which could be another reason why you’re experiencing discomfort. Yoga is a great workout but low impact, making it perfect for those who are looking for something more calming than hitting the gym but still want to stay in shape.
Invest in Better Furniture
One reason why your posture might be suffering is due to furniture that isn’t providing you the right support. Ergonomic office chairs are a must if you do work at a desk all day, and perhaps even creating a standing desk for you to use for a few hours could help, too. If you like spending your free time playing computer games, get a special gamer’s chair for the same reasons. You can use these Cybeart discount codes to get a chair for gaming at a great price if you’re trying to save.
Try to be More Aware
It might be easier said than done, but if you want to improve your posture, you do need to be more conscious of it. If you notice that you’re slouching, correct this and sit or stand up straight. Let your arms hang naturally at your sides, and keep your feet shoulder length apart, distributing your weight equally.
Use Backpacks Rather Than Shoulder Bags
Shoulder bags might look more fashionable, but if you are carrying a lot of things around with you, they aren’t doing your posture any favors. Instead, it will put more pressure on one side of your body, and you’re more likely to slouch or curve in that position to try and make yourself more comfortable. Backpacks might still put pressure on your back if they are heavy, but they will distribute this weight more evenly across your shoulders and sit in the small of your back.
See and Chiropractor or Physical Therapist
If your posture issues are significant, you might want to see a chiropractor or physical therapist for more intensive treatment to correct them. In addition, they will be able to give you specific exercises and tips on what you can do at home in-between appointments to improve your posture and strengthen your muscles.
If you have tried all of the above and your pains persist, see your doctor as it might be a sign of a different healthcare issue. However, it is very common for these uncomfortable sensations to be a result of bad posture, so use these tips to help relieve your pain and improve your posture.
Dr. Kyra Russel Jr.
A qualified doctor, Dr. Kyra Russel Jr. is someone who wears many hats, working also as a health writer, author, researcher, and media medic. She is a master communicator who is passionate about putting convoluted health information into words that make the information widely accessible. Her primary interests are child and adolescent health, women’s well-being, beauty, and nutrition.
