The spine helps hold the head in an upright position, allowing you to safely and effectively navigate the world in front of you. Poor posture involves a slouching or slumping of the spine, which alters the healthy positioning of the head and neck. Over time, this can lead to substantial neck and back pain. Below are some important things to know about the relationship between poor posture and the spine and how you can address postural issues.

Effects of Poor Posture

The average human head weighs a staggering 10 to 11 pounds and accounts for about eight percent of a person's total body weight. That's a substantial load for the spine to support. When a person has poor posture, muscles and joints in the back and neck are automatically engaged to help the spine more effectively support the head.

The additional effort leads to stress and fatigue of these muscles and joints, which in turn can lead to discomfort, often experienced as neck or back pain. It can also cause the spine to curve and hunch over; squeeze the abdomen and internal organs, making digestion more difficult; force the heart and lungs to work harder by compressing them; and alter a person's moods and emotional well-being.

Remedies

Most importantly, always be mindful of how you're sitting or standing. Sit with feet on the floor, don't cross the legs, and ensure the back of the chair supports the lower or mid back; hold the neck and head upright without being overly rigid or overly lax.

Stand with weight evenly distributed, letting the balls of the feet bear as much of the weight as possible, bend the knees slightly, and keep the head level by aligning the earlobes with the shoulders. Invest in a mattress with a medium degree of firmness and avoid sleeping on your stomach as this further curves the spine. For neck and back pain triggered by poor posture, apply heat, rest, and do some gentle stretches, like the cat-cow yoga pose.

Always see a chiropractor for neck or back pain; they will also be able to design a treatment plan and provide specific tips for improving posture. American Health Chiropractic is here to help. With more than 25 years' experience, they serve patients throughout the Clermont and Hamilton County areas of Ohio. In addition to neck and back pain, they offer comprehensive chiropractic care for headaches, sciatica, herniated discs, and much more. Call (513) 576-6699 or visit them online to schedule an appointment.