You probably know if you have good posture or not, right? Check it out right now - how are you sitting or standing while reading this? Posture is important and having good posture is great for your back!
But bad posture, like swayback posture can cause some problems. Swayback is when you have a slumped posture and your spine bends over. It's bad for your health when your spine slumps because it pulls on the nervous system and weakens your muscles.
So, who normally has swayback posture? It happens to those who are sedentary and do a lot of sitting. Sitting at work or even on the couch all night can cause bad posture! That's why it's so important to get up and move during the day. It's great for your back and your entire body!
It also appears in older adults - which could be a result of sitting as well. People with weak glute muscles, runners and ballerinas can also suffer from swayback posture. Of course you don't have to be in any of those groups to have swayback! And luckily there are some fixes!
First, visit your chiropractor! An adjustment can free up tight ligaments that pull your back a certain way. Plus, it'll get your entire body aligned so that all of your systems are working together and correctly.
The next thing you can do is work with the way you stand starting with your feet. You want to be able to feel your arches in your feet. Good posture starts from the bottom and works its way up! Then, check to make sure your knees are relaxed and there's a bend. Continue working your way up to your chest and keep your chest open and tall. Finally, keep your chin and neck back, not tilting down or too far up.
If you haven't already, check out this video of Dr. Davis talking about swayback posture.
You also want to make sure you have a neutral pelvis. Strengthening your glutes is a great way to do that! It's also a good idea to strengthen your side muscles to take the pressure off of your abdomen.
These are great ways to get your posture strong and right. If you want to get in or need a little help with your posture, give us a call at 712-560-8913 or book online!