Your posture – or the position in which you hold your body while standing, sitting, or sleeping – is essential for good health. Bad posture puts undue strain on certain muscles, ligaments, and joints, which can pull your bones, especially those in your spine, out of alignment.
Your postural muscles help you walk, sit, and lie down in a natural, comfortable position without thinking about it. However, if you’re stressed, pregnant, overweight, or have unhealthy body positioning habits, your postural muscles may become strained, which puts you at increased risk of injury and pain.
If you have poor posture, you can work to correct it! With practice, you can master correct posture for standing, sitting, and sleeping to help you overcome chronic back pain and other problems. Just follow this advice from our St Petersburg, FL chiropractor.
Tips for Sitting Properly
- Keep your feet flat on the floor. If your legs aren’t long enough, use a footrest, but make sure your knees stay at or below the level of your hips.
- Avoid crossing your legs.
- Choose a chair that provides lumbar support. If your seat lacks this feature, use a back support pillow.
- Choose a chair that leaves a small gap between the backs of your knees and the front of the seat, even when you scoot as far back as possible.
- Relax your shoulders and adjust your keyboard, if applicable, so your forearms are parallel to the floor.
- Take frequent breaks to stretch and reposition yourself in your chair.
Tips for Standing Properly
- Carry most of your weight on the balls of your feet.
- Keep your knees bent slightly and your feet about shoulder-width apart.
- Let your arms hang naturally by your sides.
- Stand tall and straight with your shoulders pulled back and stomach tucked in.
- Hold your head level without craning your neck forward, backward, or from side to side.
- If you must stand for a long time, shift your weight from the balls of your feet to your heels or from one foot to the other.
Tips for Good Sleeping Posture
- Find a mattress that works for you. In general, firm mattresses are recommended to help keep your spine aligned.
- Choose a supportive pillow designed to work with your preferred sleep position.
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
- Place a pillow between your knees if you sleep on your side or under your knees if your sleep on your back.
Schedule Chiropractic Care in St Petersburg, FL
If poor posture has caused you to develop back problems, now is the time to receive chiropractic care in St Petersburg, FL. Our chiropractor, Dr. Staubs, has experience loosening up tight muscles and realigning the spine to make proper posture feel more comfortable and natural for you.
To learn more about our services, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Suncoast Integrative Healthcare. New patients receive 15% off their first visit!