How to Improve Your Posture: Tips from a Chiropractor

Did you know your posture can affect your digestion? Well, it can! Along with a lot of other things you may not have been aware of. Growing up, we often get annoyed with the constant nagging to improve our posture, but it turns out good posture can do a lot for good health. If you are looking for a simple way to improve your daily health, good posture is a great place to start. Proper posture helps prevent back and neck pain, muscle strains, reduce headaches, and improve organ functioning. To improve your posture today, check out these helpful tips from a chiropractor.

• Pay Attention– first and foremost, if you want to improve your posture, you need to pay attention to it. It’s easy throughout the day to get distracted and start slouching. Check in with yourself and your body consistently throughout the day so you can correct your posture whenever it begins to falter. After some time, this practice will become second nature, and you will be able to prevent yourself from falling into bad posture habits.
• Know What Good Posture Looks Like– you can’t have good posture if you aren’t even sure exactly what that means. Good standing posture means you are standing straight with shoulders slightly back and head level. You will want to pull in your abdomen and make sure your knees aren’t locked and your feet are shoulder-width apart. If you are sitting, good posture looks like feet flat on the floor, ankles slightly in front of your knees, and thighs parallel to the ground. Make sure the back of your chair supports your back or use a rolled-up towel if it isn’t adjustable. Spend time practicing proper posture so it gets easier and easier to keep your body in proper alignment.
• Set Yourself Up For Success– correcting or improving posture can take time and diligence on your part. Set yourself up for success by making sure you have the things you need. Use a back pillow when necessary, and if you work in an office, set up your space in an ergonomic way. If you have a lumpy mattress, consider buying a new, firmer one that supports healthy sleep posture. All of these things can go a long way in improving your posture and your overall health.
• Exercise– exercise is so good for you in so many ways, and improving your posture is one of them. A strong core is a key component in keeping a proper posture throughout the day. Adding 30 minutes of exercise to your day can make a big difference. 

See The Professionals

After implementing these practices to improve your posture, consider seeing a local chiropractor! At Integrated Health Solutions, our experienced medical professionals can provide adjustments, massages, and more to keep your body healthy and pain-free. Give us a call today to get started!