Poor posture is common… and fixable! 


How does chiropractic care fix posture?

Repeated poor posture causes changes in the joints and tissues. For example, you might notice that your upper back or shoulders are more rounded or hunched than before. Joints and tissues generally become tight and less flexible from poor posture. This tightness often leads to pain and, if left untreated, further changes such as:

  • “Hunch back” or Dowager’s Hump

  • Uneven shoulders, hips, or pelvis

  • Forward head posture

  • Rounded shoulders

  • Functional Scoliosis



Assessment

The first step is to locate restricted joints and posture problems. At Glow we use:

  1. Computerized posture analysis. This provides a helpful visual assessment.

  2. Orthopedic, neurological, and hands-on assessments of the spine and joints.



Adjustment

Once the restricted joints are identified, I will provide targeted chiropractic adjustments. This restores range of motion to the joints and circulation to the surrounding area. As the joints move freely again, the body’s natural mechanisms increase the healing in the connected tissues and nerves.

Over time, joints and tissues will become restricted again if you sit often or continue poor posture. Regular adjustments are an excellent way to keep your joints and tissues mobile and healthy.



Exercise Therapy

I also recommend specific exercises or stretches that target your personal problem area(s), whether that is the neck, upper back, middle back, etc. You can use these daily to further improve your posture.

What else can I do to improve my posture?



Stand tall

Stand as though someone is pulling up a string that is connected to the top of your head. As you stand and walk tall, your posture will improve greatly.
Advanced tip: improve your posture even further by tightening your glutes while standing. 



Work Smart 

1. Take breaks from sitting. Consider setting an alarm to take a break every 20 minutes or at least every hour. Advanced tip: add a posture stretch to your break— watch our video below!


2. Create an ergonomic work area. Here is a short video from an ergonomics expert to walk you through simple and affordable options. One thing I would add to the video is that your knees should be slightly lower than your hips when seated, so look for a chair that allows this.
3. Use a standing desk. This allows you to alternate between standing and sitting. At Glow, we use the Ikea Knotten; Ikea actually has many affordable options!

 

Live Smart

1. Wear shoes with no heel.
2. Get 20+ minutes of activity most days. Walk, swim, bike, yoga, gym— whatever you enjoy!
3. Maintain a healthy weight. I highly recommend Precision Nutrition programs for men and women. (No affiliation.)

Ready to improve your posture and maintain it? See you at Glow!