Good posture is an easy and very important way to maintain a healthy mind and body.
Correct posture = your body is in alignment with itself and this can alleviate common problems such as back or neck pain, headaches, and fatigue.
Lifting Correctly – When lifting ensure that you do not flex from the spine, instead drop from the hips and bend your knees so that you do not strain your back.
Osteopaths are able to evaluate an individuals’ posture and spine as their shoulder, knee, hip, or ankle problem could actually be stemming from other parts of the spine, therefore assessing posture can help us locate these problems.
Stand and Sit Tall
This requires visualisation or looking in a mirror. Align your ears, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles so that they are all in line and imagine that you are being pulled up (by a piece of string) from the top of your head towards the ceiling.
Core Stability
Train your muscles to do the work. Exercises can help strengthen the deep muscles and will help you maintain good posture and build muscle memory so that you unconsciously and naturally maintain the ‘S’ shape of your spine without fatigue.
Stretch Regularly
The majority of us sit or stand for longer than we should do and as a result our muscles fatigue and tire from being in the same position. Stretching daily can greatly help lengthen muscles and tendons, aid circulation and keep one feeling supple.
Yoga and Pilates
Is a great way to improve your balance, flexibility, strengthen your core muscles, aid breathing and maintain your alignment.
Sleep Soundly
Using a firmer mattress will help maintain your curves and support your muscles as you rest. Sleeping on your back will help keep your shoulders straight and better for your spine than sleeping prone, on your stomach as this can add a strain through your neck. If you prefer sleeping on your side then try placing a pillow between your knees to help keep your spine aligned. Choose a pillow that will support your neck and maintain the alignment for the head and shoulders.