Having a good posture can improve confidence, mood, and overall health. Researches carried out at several top academic institutions, including Harvard and Columbia universities, shows that improving posture can help to improve the brain’s function and memory levels. Good posture gives a good impression to other people and results in better relationships, fitness and work performance.
There are many indications of poor posture, including an arched lower back, forward head carriage, rounded upper back, and hunched shoulders. Another common sign of poor posture is back pain. Here are 4 ways on how to reverse bad posture.
1. Practice Yoga
Yoga is one of the perfect ways of correcting poor posture. Good posture is all about being aware of the body. Regular yoga practice helps to increase awareness of the body, feelings, and thoughts. In addition, regularly practising yoga poses, such as locus, baby cobra, plank and boat helps to strengthen core muscles and can improve posture over time.
Whether you incorporate each of these poses into your routine, the benefits of strengthening the core and opening the spine, hips, and shoulders will provide profound effects on the overall posture. Do not forget to get a comfortable yoga mat for the practice sessions. For more information on how to purchase a comfortable yoga mat, Click here.
2. Visit a Chiropractor
An experienced chiropractor can help in finding the best method of correcting a poor posture. During the initial visit, a chiropractor will assess the spine and joints in order to check for any dysfunctions or joint restrictions. If any are found, a chiropractic adjustment will be performed to correct them.
Chiropractic adjustments entail the use of hands to induce movement in joints that may be immobile. Chiropractic adjustments also help to stimulate the body’s natural healing process, so that the body works as it is supposed to. During the assessment, the chiropractor will also check for postural imbalances. Postural imbalances, such as having one shoulder higher than the other, can cause a serious impact on the body’s central system.
Once dysfunctions and joint restrictions are removed, the patient can begin to work on improving their posture and overall body health through better nutrition and exercises. Some of the postural problems corrected by a qualified chiropractor include forward head posture, uneven pelvis or hips, hunchback and so much more.
3. Exercise Upper Back Muscles
Muscles lose their ability to function optimally if they become weak, tight or overstretched. Slumping for an extended period of time can cause the pec muscles at the front of the chest to get really tight due to the rounding of the spine. The upper back muscles may also become overstretched. Posture training that works the pec muscles in the front, as well as rhomboid muscles in the back, can help in dealing with this. Simple exercises, such as squeezing the shoulder blades together are the best upper back posture exercises for such problems.
4. Learn to Breath Properly
Posture and breathing are undeniably intertwined. It is impossible to achieve good posture if the breathing is underused, trapped or restricted. Similarly, posture directly impacts the way the body breathes. Excess pressure on the respiratory and inter-costal muscles alters the ability of these muscles to dynamically contract and expand to their fullest. Learn to breathe properly, using the diaphragm and try breathing exercises that engage lower core muscles and waste muscles, and focus on lengthening the diaphragm.
There are many reasons to maintain a good posture and doing so can benefit a person’s body and mind. With a good understanding of the above four tips, you’ll certainly have an easy time correcting a poor posture.
