How Posture Can Impact Your Health, Social Life, and Professional Success

While everyone differs slightly, good posture follows certain guidelines. Standing with your upper and lower back in a straight line without slouching enables you to painlessly utilize your entire range of motion. 

But poor posture often leads to chronic neck and back pain and other undesirable issues.

Our skilled team at Apollo Chiropractic, led by expert chiropractor Andrew Dube, DC, offers posture correction, including exercises and manual manipulation, to help you live a more pain-free, productive life.

What is good posture?

Healthy spines form a natural S-shape consisting of three different curves:

• Cervical spine in your neck
• Thoracic spine mid-back
• Lumbar spine in the lower back

Maintaining this shape without additional curvature creates good posture. Dr. Dube encourages you to keep your head above your shoulders, rather than tilted backward or forward. While sitting, aim for a 90-degree angle between your hips and back.

How good posture benefits overall health and productivity

Posture can worsen everything from back and neck pain to balance and flexibility. Correct posture improves energy and stamina, while poor posture often leads to headaches and stress. 

When you work at a desk all day, Dr. Dube recommends keeping your forearms parallel to the floor. He suggests you relax your shoulders and wrists to avoid a repetitive strain injury. You further improve your posture when you:

• Sit on a chair supporting your lower back
• Keep your elbows aligned with the keyboard
• Don’t cross your legs
• Place the computer screen at eye level
• Invest in a standing desk to alternate between sitting and standing
• Take short breaks

He also recommends using a headset while talking on the phone to avoid straining your upper body and an anti-fatigue mat if you stand in one spot at home or work for a long time.

On or off the job, good alignment puts less wear-and-tear on your muscles, making you a more productive, pain-free individual.

Exercises to enhance posture

Dr. Dube evaluates and treats poor posture, offering physical adjustments and suggested exercises, such as:

Chin tucks

This exercise improves your neck’s flexibility and function. Sit upright, look ahead, and bring your chin toward your chest. Hold for five seconds, then repeat several times.

Calf raises

To strengthen your calf muscles, do some calf raises. Place your hands against a sturdy backdrop, rise up on the balls of your feet, and keep your heels off the ground. Hold briefly and repeat.

Bear hugs

Give yourself a big bear hug to relieve stress in your neck and upper back.

Improve your social standing

Standing and sitting correctly not only improve your health and productivity, they can even enhance your social life. 

Posture influences how others perceive you. Good posture sends nonverbal cues that make you appear confident and energetic, while slumping portrays insecurity and even sadness or depression.

If you walk with your back overly arched, your core remains unsupported. It can also make your gate appear more of a waddle than a self-assured walk. Dr. Dube helps you form new habits to look and feel better both physically and socially.

Take a stand for better posture

When standing or walking:

• Keep your chin parallel to the floor
• Keep your shoulders down
• Distribute your body weight evenly on both feet
• Point your knees straight ahead

Stay mindful of poor posture habits, such as slouching or sticking your neck forward. Little changes can make a world of difference in your health and stature.

It’s all about adjustment

As in life, small changes in your posture can help you reap short- and long-term rewards. When you’re ready to improve your overall alignment and flexibility, call our New York City office on Manhattan’s Upper West Side or schedule an appointment online with us at Apollo Chiropractic today.