Saturday, June 13, 2009

Back Pain From Bad Posture?

By Philip Vincent

Bad posture comes from fatigue, habit and activity level. Many of us are sedentary and tend to slouch. This puts undue stress on our spine and muscles, which can cause back pain. The good news is you can work on improving your posture at any age, but you will be more successful in the long run if you begin young.

Sitting or standing for long periods can cause your muscles to become tired. This may lead to improper positioning. If you can take steps to prevent this, you'll feel a lot better. Some of the things you can do are taking breaks and change position. If you sit a lot, get up and walk around. Do some stretches. Relieve those muscles that are carrying the entire burden from your slouching. If you stand a lot, take some time to sit down and let your muscles rest. Using proper shoes or a supportive desk chair can help you maintain better posture while you work. Getting enough sleep on a good mattress will help as well.

Some people develop back pain from their bad posture to the point that they need to seek help. Chiropractic care can help a lot of people with relieving the stress and strain that develops from bad posture. A chiropractor will do spinal adjustments to help put the spine back into alignment. This will help your back to feel better. Your chiropractor can give you some exercises that will help improve your posture so your pain doesn't return.

There are other things you can do to help improve your posture so your back doesn't continue to give you pain. When you sit at a desk, sit close to the desk. Use a footrest like an old phone book to change your center of gravity and prevent your back from curling into a "C" shape. When you are standing a lot, have a small stool or thick book available so you can rest one leg at a time and take some of the stress off of your back. Don't lock your knees, and don't jut your chin out. Rocking from heels to toes will also help relieve the fatigue in your back.

Bad posture also can have other effects on your body. If you lean forward too much, chances are you will experience eye strain and headaches due to being too close to your computer screen. If you slump in your chair, you may be stretching too far to reach your mouse. Either of these positions can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome because your wrists will be either extended or flexed for long periods of time while performing repetitive tasks.

Taking the time to improve your posture can not only relieve your back pain, but it can give you a better outlook. Slumping is linked with a low level of confidence or depression.

Even if you are sitting in the proper position, remember to take time to get up and stretch from time to time. Changing positions and getting the blood flowing will relieve any fatigue that is building up and energize you for your next work session. - 14130

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