Good posture plays an integral role in preventing aches, pains, and soreness throughout the body. During your day-to-day activities, such as sitting at your work desk or standing in line at the grocery store, you might develop bad habits that put your bones, muscles, and joints at risk. Prevent the need for physical therapy by using some of the following posture tips.

4 Ways to Improve Your Posture

1. Stand Tall

Make a conscious effort to stand up as tall as possible. One way to make this easier is by imagining there is a string lifting the crown of your head.  Keep your chin level. You will engage muscles from your feet up through your body to maintain good posture without thinking about every individual area of your body.

2. Don’t Slouch

Slouching puts stress and pressure on the thoracic spine, including the adjacent muscles and joints. In addition to causing back problems, slouching may also compress your organs and diminish their function. When you sit at a table or desk, try to straighten your spine as much as possible.Use the same “string lift” described above. Other physical therapy tricks involve getting up to walk around once an hour and avoiding “text neck” by holding your smartphone or tablet higher.

3. Watch How You Drive

If you have a tendency to recline in the driver’s seat—especially on longer trips—your back may begin to ache and spasm. Correct this by pulling your seat closer to the steering wheel, then slightly bend your knees. Use a small pillow or cushion to support your lumbar spine. If you have a long commute to and from the office every day, this will work wonders in reducing the need for physical therapy. 

4. Sleep in the Right Position

The average person sleeps for approximately 8 hours—or one-third of the day. Since you spend so much time sleeping, it’s important that you do it in a comfortable, health-conscious position. If you sleep on your side, bend your knees slightly. Back sleepers should use a thin memory foam pillow to support the neck, and stomach sleepers should do the same beneath the hips. Finally, invest in a firmer mattress that will support your spine.

If you need physical therapy to correct the symptoms of poor posture, get in touch with Hands-On Health Massage & Physical Therapy. They provide postural realignment, pain relief, massage, myofascial release, and stress management to clients throughout High Point, NC. Call (336) 906-2040 to book an appointment with a physical therapist and visit them online to learn more about services and rates.