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Good Posture

 

Good Posture

What is "Good Posture" and Why do you Want It?



You've been to your physicians and they tell you to "Get in shape and watch your posture"; you go to a seminar on healthy back care at work and they say "Watch your posture"; you watch an infomercial on TV and they are selling a piece of equipment that will help you "watch your posture."

More people are understanding that good posture of the lower back and neck is important, but difficult to remember. Simply telling people to "watch your posture" is valuable; however, it leaves many wondering why or how to have good posture.

Postural Boundaries
The most energy efficient movement of the skeletal joints is performed with the joints in neutral position. This means not overly flexed or extended. In the neutral position there are no abnormal stresses on the joint ligaments and capsule. The body can move quite efficiently in and around this neutral position or postural boundary zone. The body can be moved periodically out of bounds, but as long as you return there will be minimal stress. If the out of bounds movement is performed for a prolonged time muscle fatigue may occur and the joint ligaments will become stressed and irritated.

Postural Pain or Postural Dysfunction
Sitting in a slumped position for long periods of time can lead to postural pain in the lower back. Looking at a computer monitor off to the right or left can lead to postural cervical pain. Poor posture over many months or years can lead to postural dysfunction. Postural dysfunction results from bad postural habits causing muscles to become short and tight in one direction and too long in the other directions. At this point corrective action must be taken to re-program your body so the muscles/tendons/ligaments are in balance. Time must be set aside daily to do specific exercises. It takes time, but the results are worth it.

 

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