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Proper Posture: Health Benefits You Should Reap Now

Well, you may have been told to sit properly in front of your teacher in grade school.

And like any good boy scout or girl scout, you may have done so out of fear of being punished and sent to the principal’s office.

As an adult, you may have heard colleagues tell you to mind your posture when in front of your PC.

All the talk about good posture can seem to be overwhelming.

A closer look into it will show you, however, that having good posture can have tons of benefits you never heard of before.

A little warning comes with all that goodies though.

While giving yourself the benefits of good posture have its merits, doing the reverse has its consequences.

Top of that list is stomach problems. Yes, you heard that right.

Proper Posture: Health Benefits You Should Reap Now

If you don’t arrange yourself properly when sitting in front of your PC, you’re bound to risk improper digestion.

There may not be a more prominent way to demonstrate all that than with acid reflux, which simply means acid from your stomach squirts back up via the esophagus.

And that’s just for starters. Check out key essentials to achieve overall health with proper posture.

What is Proper Posture?

First things first. You might ask what really is good posture?

And above all else, good posture is the proper positioning of your spine.

Our spines have 3 innate curves the neck curve, the mid-back curve, and the low back curve.

The right posture should be able to maintain these curves without increasing them in the long run.

Technically, there are two kinds of posture that you can hold your body into:

  • Dynamic posture – is when you’re in motion (e.g., running, cooking)
  • Static posture – is when you’re at rest (e.g., standing, sitting)

Achieving proper posture means you need to position yourself well both while resting and while moving.

For instance, Schroth therapy for scoliosis relies heavily upon proper posture.

Usually, as sitting is the most common activity when in school and at work, proper posture when doing so is a must.

To do that, ensure that your hips and back are fully supported. Here’s how to get that going.

Its Myriad Health Benefits

Certainly, proper posture can make you look good. But it’s more than just a mere aesthetics issue.

Overall, it ensures your body functions at its best.

And top of that list is your body’s digestion.

Simply put, proper posture places those vital internal organs in your abdomen to be in their most natural position free from undue stress.

When these gastrointestinal mechanisms are under pressure, the digestive process is adversely affected.

That’s because when peristalsis (your body moving food), your intestinal walls and stomach must contract in a wave-like motion.

Proper Posture: Health Benefits You Should Reap Now

Improper posture slows down the digestive process which includes the seamless distribution of energy throughout your whole system.

Small wonder, posture woes could plague you when you do. Some of these are:

  • Stress incontinence (leaking urine)
  • Constipation (due to poor toilet posture)
  • Heartburn (caused by acid reflux)
  • Headaches
  • Breathing difficulties

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, seeing a physical therapist should bid you well.

That way, the professional can give you a program to boost your core muscle strength.

And Then Some

On the other end of the spectrum, proper posture also aids in improving spinal misalignments.

For instance, Schroth therapy for scoliosis relies heavily upon proper posture.

Being mindful of your posture is a great first step in getting back the proper form of your spine.

This is why Katherina Schroth, the educator/rehabilitation specialist who started the Schroth method of therapy employed a lot of mirrors to help patients suffering from scoliosis.

To note, Katherina, herself was suffering from moderate scoliosis that was treated with bracing, albeit unsuccessfully.

Instead, the German educator found out that certain pattern-specific movements can slowly correct the spinal issue.

Proper posture along with proper breathing plays a central role in Schroth therapy.

Today, it has helped transform many kids affected with scoliosis all over the world back to a healthy normal life.

Moreover, proper posture can get those muscles toned.

When your bones and joints are in correct alignment, your muscles are primed to move better.

Proper Posture: Health Benefits You Should Reap Now

Know that excessive wearing of your joint surfaces can lead to joint pain. Or worse, get degenerative arthritis.

Also, proper posture is key to reducing undue ligament stress that holds your spine’s joints together.

In the process, you diminish the risk of injury. Think about it.

When your muscles move freely, your body functions at its best.

Proper posture, therefore, is a great energy booster, allowing your body to use a much lesser amount of energy to do work.

Add to the mix looking confident and way younger, and you know proper posture is not just a blessing to the body, but it’s also a morale booster as well.

Truth be told, it’s your path to greater overall wellness.

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