Maintaining Good Posture

It's no secret that maintaining good posture is an important part of one's overall health. Ever wonder why older adults cannot stand up straight? This is the result of years of bad habits. Unfortunately, the importance of healthy posture is not well publicized.

How do we define posture?

How we position our bodies while we lie down, stand, and sit is what we call posture. Healthy posture is the proper balance between muscle tension and gravity, in respect to our body's alignment. How do we control our bodies? Through posture and the use of our muscles, we're able to negotiate through space.

We are not usually aware of our own posture; for this reason, we take our posture for granted or forget its importance. Good posture is contingent upon many muscle groups, in particular the hamstrings and large muscles of the back. Ligaments hold the body's skeleton together, but without the help of muscles, our bodies would have no ability to uphold itself. These postural muscles maintain the bodily position and its inherent balance.

Why Good Posture is Important
By using good posture, we are able to stand, walk, lie down, and sit in ways which would be otherwise impossible. We carry out everyday actions in ways which call for little exertion. By using good posture, the joints and bones of the body stay in proper alignment. This maintains our bodily integrity. We're less likely to wear down the surfaces of our joints, as a result; this spares us from unnecessary pain and, potentially, arthritis. It can also reduce the possibility of injury, as all unnecessary strain on the spinal joints and ligaments are removed. Proper posture allows the muscles to be used efficiently, which, in turn, can prevent the muscles from getting too tired, too soon. Over time, this will maintain the body's structural integrity. Maintaining good posture is essential to the satisfactory performance of your muscles. It is critical to display normal motion in the vertebra, as well as the rest of the body, in order to move through space in a healthy and efficient manner. In addition, you should be aware of your postural tendencies, both at work and at play. If changes are necessary, it's important to correct them.

The harmful effects of improper posture
Our muscles become stressed, over time, as the result of poor posture. Likewise, we can become lethargic when maintaining the same position for a long time. The "evidence" of poor posture is apparent in people whom, at work, bend forward at the waist for long periods of time. These people are at an especially high risk for injury and pain. Limited flexibility, unhealthy working conditions, and lazy habits can also lead to recurrently bad posture. Poor posture is most often caused by stress, being overweight, weak muscles, wearing high-heeled shoes, and pregnancy.