Surprising Ways Posture Can Impact Your Health

You probably heard someone say “sit up straight” or “don’t slouch” when you were younger. It may have been frustrating, but that advice can help you stay healthy as you age.

Spending long hours at a desk, slouching on the couch, or sleeping in bad positions can affect more than just your neck and back. It can impact your whole body. Fixing your posture can ease daily aches and pains—and help you feel better over time.

What Is Good Posture?

Good posture means your body is lined up in a way that doesn’t strain your muscles or joints. It’s mainly about keeping your head, shoulders, and hips in a straight line. But the rest of your body matters, too.

When standing:

• Keep your head, shoulders, and hips in line.
• Tighten your core.
• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Keep your weight on the balls of your feet.

When sitting:

• Keep your feet flat on the floor.
• Keep your ankles slightly apart.
• Make sure your thighs are level with the floor.
• Bend your knees at a 90-degree angle.

Why It Matters

Good posture helps reduce everyday pain and tiredness. It can also protect you from getting hurt when you lift things or stay active. Less stress on your spine and joints means you can stay healthier and move more easily as you age.

Effects of Poor Posture

Bad posture can lead to serious health problems, including:

• Herniated discs: Discs cushion the individual bones of your spine. Too much strain can damage them, causing pain, numbness, and movement issues. This can also lead to sciatica.
• Chronic pain: Slouching or hunching for long periods can lead to long-term back, neck, and shoulder pain.
• Spinal deformation: Bad posture over time can twist or bend your spine in harmful ways. This may contribute to problems like scoliosis.
• Nerve issues: Pressure on the nerves near your spine can cause tingling, numbness, and pain. Pain from pinched nerves may last a month or more.

Benefits of Good Posture

Good posture helps more than just your muscles and bones. It also supports your overall health.

• Better sleep: Pain in the back, neck, and shoulders can make it hard to sleep. Poor sleep affects mood, weight, heart health, memory, and more.
• Breathing easy: Slouching puts pressure on your lungs and makes it harder to breathe. Good posture helps you take deeper, fuller breaths.
• Less fatigue: With better posture, your muscles don’t work as hard, so you feel less tired and more energized.
• Improved mood, energy, and confidence: Research shows posture affects your mental health. Standing tall can help you feel more confident.
• Better digestion: Slouching can lead to heartburn and slow digestion. Sitting up straight reduces pressure on your stomach, helping it work better.

What You Can Do

Pay attention to how you sit and stand during the day. Keep your head, shoulders, and hips lined up. When sitting, tighten your core and keep your knees bent at 90 degrees. Stay active—even if your job requires lots of sitting.

“If you're not doing stretches in between your work, you're just sitting all day, your muscles will get really, really tight,” cautions Dr. Akhil Shori, Interventional Pain Medicine Specialist at the Riverside Orthopedic & Spine Center. “So, stretching those muscles, taking breaks in between, going for walks, and even using a standing desk is great if you're working at a computer for a long time. Those things can really help delay this process and keep you in check.”

Conclusion

Posture affects more than just your neck and back. Fixing it can improve your overall health and how you feel every day.

If you're dealing with posture issues, pain, or spine problems, the Riverside Orthopedic & Spine Center is here to help. Our expert team works together to create a care plan that fits your needs.

To learn more, visit myrhc.net/orthopedics or call (815) 802-7090