Are you or your children guilty of hunching over your computer or Smartphone screen, perhaps even as you read this right now? Too many people are using poor posture and not showing our children healthy work habits. May is Correct Posture Month and I encourage you and your family to make a change!
Correct posture is crucial, as a properly aligned spine protects our joints by placing less stress on them, thereby helping to prevent future problems such as arthritis and back and joint pain. According to the American Chiropractic Association, correct posture can also help to reduce the risk of injury and prevent muscle fatigue.
Are you guilty of poor posture? You likely are if you:
sit on your wallet
sleep on your stomach
stand all day, or sit all day
tilt your head back to see through your glasses
hunch over laptops, computer screens, and other electronic devices
lift weights with poor posture
wear your backpack or a heavy purse over one shoulder
wear high heels
are obese
are pregnant
Thankfully, you can stop your poor posture in its tracks. Check out these key posture-improving exercises to get started.
We also encourage you to contact Dr. Susan for your posture month assessment and adjustment! This month we are doing FREE children assessments when they accompany their parent during a regular treatment visit. It is important to recognize minor misalignment and correct them periodically throughout the year. Children are often overlooked and scoliosis can develop as a result of early falls, trauma, poor study habits and heavy backpacks.
May is Correct Posture Month!
Chin Glide:
This subtle move counteracts neck-craning. Bring your teeth gently together and slowly, softly glide your head backward — 1/4 to 1 inch — without tilting it, until you feel mild tension. Keep your shoulders relaxed. Hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat two more times.
Mid-Back Makeover
Extend your arms out and up to about shoulder height, bent at elbows with palms pointing up. Squeeze your shoulder blades together. You should feel a stretch along your chest and the front of your shoulders. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 5 times. If you feel sharp pain, ease off until you feel only mild tension. If this hurts, hold your arms a bit lower; after doing this exercise a few weeks, gradually raise them.
Pelvic Tilt
This technique trains your pelvis to support your spine. Stand using good posture. Relax your hips and let your buttocks protrude somewhat. Place thumbs on lower ribs and fingers on hip bones. Tuck your buttocks under, so your hip bones line up under your lower ribs. Hold for 5 seconds, and then repeat at least three times.
Don’t forget to contact Dr. Susan for your posture month assessment and adjustment! This month we are doing FREE children assessments when they accompany their parent during a regular treatment visit. It is important to recognize minor misalignment and correct them periodically throughout the year. Children are often overlooked and scoliosis can develop as a result of early falls, trauma, poor study habits and heavy backpacks.