Maintaining good health and avoiding injuries need excellent posture. Neck and back discomfort, headaches, and even digestive issues can result from poor posture. One of the best things you can do to correct your posture is exercise. In this article, we’ll talk about how exercising can help you stand up straighter and what activities you can take to do so.
What is Posture?
The way your body is positioned when you are standing, sitting, or lying down is called your posture. Maintaining proper alignment of your body entails putting as little strain as possible on your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. So that your muscles can function effectively, it helps to keep your bones and joints in the proper alignment.
What Leads to Bad Posture?
Sitting for extended periods is one of several variables that might contribute to poor posture.
- Absence of exercise
- Weak muscles
- Tight muscles
- Ergonomic shortcomings, such as poorly designed workstations
- Accidents, or injuries
- Bad sleeping patterns
How Can Exercise Help Improving Body Posture?
Numerous options exist for exercise to help with body posture. Here are a few techniques for posture improvement through exercise:
Expanding Flexibility:
Poor posture can also be caused by tight muscles. Exercise can help you become more flexible and mobile, which can assist in the release of muscle tension and enhance your posture.
Encouragement of Good Alignment:
Yoga and Pilates are two forms of exercise that emphasize good alignment and sound body mechanics. You can rectify any imbalances and improve your posture by using these exercises.
Increasing Balance:
Good posture requires balance. By strengthening your core muscles, which assist in stabilizing your body, exercise can help you balance.
Relieving Pain:
Exercise might assist in reducing discomfort brought on by improper posture. Stretching exercises, for instance, can ease stress in your shoulders and neck, which can ease headaches and neck pain.
What Physical Activities Can Help You Posture?
Here are some posture-enhancing exercises to try:
Wall Angels:
Stand with your back against a wall and your arms by your sides to form a wall angel. Keep your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle as you raise your arms to shoulder height. Move your arms slowly up the wall, always keeping your elbows and wrists in contact with it. Once your arms are raised overhead, pause, then gradually bring them back down to your sides. 10 to 15 times, then.
Bird Dog:
With your hands shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart, begin on your hands and knees. While simultaneously lifting your left leg and right arm, keep your back straight. After a brief period of holding, lower your arm and leg and repeat on the opposite side. 10 to 15 repetitions per side.
Cat-Cow:
With your hands shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart, begin on your hands and knees. As you raise your head and gaze upward, arch your back and tuck your chin into your chest. Then, as you slowly lower your back and rise your buttocks towards the ceiling, do the same. The “cow” pose is this. After a brief period of holding, reverse the motion by bending your knees and pushing the floor away with your hands and feet. Do this while rounding your spine and tucking your chin towards your chest. The “cat” pose is this. 15 to 20 repetitions of the sequence should be performed while concentrating on your breathing and spine mobility. By increasing spinal mobility, this exercise can ease stress in your neck and back.
A word from the doctor —
Maintaining proper posture is essential for good health and avoiding injuries. Poor posture can lead to various issues such as neck and back discomfort, headaches, and digestive problems. Exercise can be a helpful tool in improving body posture by strengthening weak muscles, expanding flexibility, encouraging good alignment, increasing balance, and relieving pain.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Sanul Corrielus right away if you have questions about your heart health!