Posture is how you hold your body, whether you’re moving, standing still, or sitting down. Good posture helps your body to retain its strength and flexibility. It also reduces the risk of injuries.
On the other hand, poor posture can result in issues like headaches and back pain. It can also have an impact on your balance and flexibility. Bad posture can be the result of an inactive lifestyle, using equipment that doesn’t support your body, or problems with your muscles. This article will explore these issues and offer exercises to improve posture.
Why Is Good Posture Important for Overall Health?
This is why you should focus on improving your posture. Benefits of good posture include:
- Less risk of back pain
- Reduced risk of sports injuries
- Improved alignment of the spine
- Less strain on the joints
- Enhanced breathing
- Better balance
- Improved range of motion
- Increased flexibility
- Increased confidence
In short, good posture supports you to carry out your everyday activities with a lower risk of injury.
Proper posture also contributes to better biomechanical efficiency. This means it helps you move in the best way possible for your body, supporting it to make all the movements you need to do to fulfill your everyday tasks. Good posture helps your muscles, joints, and bones work together in harmony to achieve this.
What Are the Best Exercises to Improve Posture?
You can practice exercises to improve posture that target key muscle groups. These involve the core, back, shoulders, and neck. Check out our suggestions below.
Child's Pose
This yoga pose targets your spine, glutes (buttock muscles), and hamstrings. It can also help with tension in your neck and lower back.
- Kneel on the floor (or a mat). Sit back on your heels and place your arms by your sides.
- Bend forward, extending your arms out in front of you so your palms reach the floor.
- Let your forehead connect with the floor.
- Focus on your breathing and hold the pose for as long as you wish.
High Plank
This exercise is great to strengthen your shoulders, glutes, and hamstrings and improve core strength.
- Go down on all fours and straighten your legs. Lift your heels from the floor and raise your hips.
- Straighten your back while engaging your arm, leg, and core muscles.
- Allow your neck to lengthen while keeping your gaze on the floor.
- Open your shoulders, back, and chest.
- Hold the position for up to 1 minute.
Downward-Facing Dog
This is another yoga pose that helps you align and strengthen your back muscles.
- Start on all fours with your hands underneath your shoulders. Place your palms flat on the floor and press down into them.
- Align your knees underneath your hips.
- Curl your toes, press your heels down into the floor, and lift up your knees. You should end up in an inverted V shape with straight legs.
- Keep your pelvis neutral and suck your belly button in towards your spine. Engage your core muscles as you do so.
- Stretch your spine, keeping your neck soft.
- Hold the pose for 30 seconds.
How Can JAG Physical Therapy Help You Improve Your Posture?
JAG Physical Therapy is here to help you address posture-related issues. We use a range of physical and occupational therapy techniques as part of tailored rehabilitation programs to achieve this goal.
When you come and see us, one of our experienced therapists will assess your posture and find out about any biomechanical issues. With that information, they can create an exercise plan tailored to your needs. The result? Improved posture, enhanced well-being, and a confidence boost!
Transform Your Posture with JAG Physical Therapy
Good posture offers an array of health and well-being benefits, so it’s worth getting help to enhance this area of your life. Reach out to JAG PT for personalized guidance and support to improve your posture.
Contact us today to learn more about our posture improvement programs. It’s your first step towards better musculoskeletal health and enhanced well-being!