Posture refers to the position that your body is held in when standing, walking, or sitting. Although the importance of good posture is not immediately apparent to many individuals, posture has a great impact on the quality of your health and everyday life. Good posture means a neutral spine, which keeps the space open between the vertebra and minimizes compression of the nerves that run through the spine. Professional chiropractors are specially trained to correct bad posture and manipulate the body to optimal health.
There is a wide range of benefits that come with good posture. To begin with, good posture can reduce common neck and back pain. Poor posture can cause the nerves that branch from the spinal cord to be compressed, which may cause radiating pain to other areas of the body, including the arms and legs. Good posture also minimizes pain and reduces the risk of injury by lowering the stress on muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Studies have shown that slouching, or forward head posture, can have negative effects on vital function, such as respiration and digestion. This is due to the compression on the abdominal region, limiting the space required for the lungs and stomach to function properly.
As we’ve discussed above, correcting the spine from poor posture is essential for optimal health, bodily function, quality of life, and wellbeing. By now, you might be wondering how a chiropractor can help you improve your posture. Chiropractors can correct changes to the normal curvature of the neck or back, scoliosis, kyphosis (hunchback), pelvis misalignment, and hip misalignment. In order to improve a patient’s posture, the chiropractor will observe the patient and decide on the best treatment plan for that specific case.
The techniques utilized by a chiropractor to correct bad posture include:
Chiropractic Adjustments
This technique is typically the method that many associate with chiropractors. During adjustments, the chiropractor gently moves the joints in a way that realigns the body and spine to its natural position. The movement of the joints reduces the tension on the muscles surrounding it and increases the range of motion of the joint.
Soft Tissue Work
Soft tissue work may be performed simultaneously with other chiropractic techniques to help improve posture. In this method, the chiropractor focuses on muscle strength and the support they are providing to the rest of the body. When the spine is misaligned, some muscles might work harder than others to compensate for the weakening of those muscles. During these adjustments, the chiropractor will focus on relieving the stress on overactive muscles while strengthening the weakened muscles.
Stretching and Exercising
Specific exercises and rehabilitation may be prescribed by the chiropractor to reduce tension in the muscles and increase the strength of the muscles that have weakened. These exercises will help to prevent bad posture in the future.
If you or someone you know needs a chiropractor to help improve posture, contact us now at Icon Medical Centers in Miami or Hollywood. Our accident clinic has a unique team of board-certified chiropractic professionals that are highly trained and experienced in reversing damages of the spine that result from poor posture. Our chiropractors coordinate your path to optimal health by evaluating, diagnosing, and executing a detailed plan of treatment to help improve your posture and wellbeing.