May Is Correct Posture Month...Time to Sit and Stand Up Straight :)

Below are a few tips from Dr. Barry on how to improve your posture and your overall spinal health:

Check your workspace: A computer monitor that is too low or perhaps improperly positioned to the side of one's desk can causes serious spinal health issues over time. Likewise, a desk chair that doesn't provide the proper support can wreak havoc on your spine and posture too. Making one or many small changes in your office or work area can help decrease the likelihood of spinal injuries and pain in the future.

Just say no to bending and twisting of the low back: The discs in your lower back, which are essentially the fluid-filled spacers between your spinal bones, are designed to handle compressive forces very well. This means they tend to do a great job at supporting a healthy body weight or things that you carry. However, problems commonly arise when these spinal structures are subjected to compressive as well as rotational forces. If your job, hobby or activity of daily living require bending and twisting the spine in conjunction, consider modifying those activities of learning more about proper ergonomics to ensure that you aren't injured over time by repetitive activities.

Give yourself regular posture evaluations: Imagine looking at your standing posture from a side-view perspective. Ideally what you should see in terms of posture is that your ear, shoulder and hip are all in good alignment with one another as if you could draw a straight line from your head to your feet connecting the three points in between. However, most commonly the head is often positioned forward with the shoulders rolled forward as well. This type of posture can cause problems with the naturally occurring lower back curve and over an extended period of time can lead to disc degeneration and bone spur (arthritis) formation. As you begin to use better posture in your activities it will undoubtedly feel strange and awkward, but just remember that you only get one spine and nervous system and it needs to last a lifetime.

If you have any questions on how to improve your posture in any of the areas above, please do not hesitate to ask at your next appointment or send Dr. Barry an email at: doctorbarry@SpineSmart.com