Poor posture has been shown to provoke back pain. While pain and other uncomfortable effects may not be felt after only a few hours of sitting with poor posture, it does place a lot of stress on the spine and can lead to anatomical changes over time. Slouching and other poor posture positions constrict the nerves and blood vessels in the back, resulting in pain and problems with the joints, muscles, and discs in the area. There are varying degrees of back pain that one can experience as a result of bad posture when sitting, walking or lifting. It can be sharp and sudden or arise gradually. Some pain will be worse depending on the time of day, while others will experience the pain in one area of the back before it spreads and moves to another area. Some pain only presents itself when a person is standing or sitting in a particular position, allowing the person to feel relief when they adjust themselves.
Posture When Sitting
Since poor posture is the leading cause of back pain, good posture is the best way to address prevention and maintenance, in the majority of cases. Since people spend a majority of their work day sitting in an office chair in front of a computer, there are several habits to focus on in order to maintain and build a healthy posture when sitting:
- Press your back against your chair rather than hunching over
- Make shoulders tall
- Level your head over the spine
- Keep knees level with hips
- Press feet into the ground
- Engage arms and flex them at the elbows
Posture When Walking
The importance of posture during walking should also be considered. Whether you are casually strolling or power-walking for exercise, the position of the spine is crucial for back health. While walking:
- Keep the head in line with the spine
- Look forward
- Remain tall
- Avoid drooping the shoulders
- Make sure to land on the heel when stepping
Posture When Lifting
More commonly known and discussed is the appropriate posture to protect your back when lifting objects. Lifting a heavy object incorrectly can cause long-term damage and pain. When lifting be sure to:
- Keep the chest forward and lifted
- Use knees bent
- Rely on the hips to lift and to change directions
- Avoiding putting strain on the lower back
- Keep objects to be lifted as close to the body as possible
These rules are not exclusive to heavy lifting; rather, they should be exercised and followed when lifting any object. Though back pain is not always avoidable, these tips can help reduce risk.
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