Poor Posture

Do you often end up slumping in your recliner at the end of a long, hard day? Maybe you find yourself sitting in your desk chair hunched over a keyboard for hours? If you are on your feet all day, you may not notice that your shoulders have become rounded because of a backache. And how many times have you caught yourself leaning over a cellphone to read texts? Poor posture can affect your health, although many of us do even not think about it. What can be done? Our chiropractor at Meek Integrative Health Center in Springfield MO has some suggestions to improve your posture and overall health.

Why Posture Matters

Bad posture can have many adverse effects on your health. Aside from the cosmetic effects, poor posture can lead to pain throughout the body. It can cause a spinal curve, which left untreated can, contribute to back and neck pain problems. Constant physical pain due to poor posture can also result in issues such as disturbed sleep, stress, and irritability. Poor posture also constricts your abdomen, hindering your digestion and causing issues such as acid reflux and heartburn.

Having your head leaning forward can lead to what is known as thoracic outlet syndrome. This restricts your nerves and blood vessels and can cause tingling and numbness in your neck, chest, and arms. The ache from poor posture can radiate from your head down to your feet, affecting the shoulders, arms, hips, knees, and ankles. It can trigger headaches that start in your neck and radiate upward. Poor posture also makes it so some joints must work harder than others, which can result in arthritis pain.

The good news is poor posture can be fixed! Chiropractic adjustments to return your spine to its natural position, distributing your weight evenly across your body. Our chiropractor may also instruct you in corrective exercises to strengthen your muscles so you can more easily maintain good posture. Our chiropractor will also discuss your lifestyle and offer suggestions to help avoid poor posture, such as improving your workplace ergonomics and sleeping in a way that will not strain your back.

Chiropractor in Springfield, MO

For more information on how our chiropractor can help you improve your poor posture or to schedule an appointment, call Meek Integrative Health Center at (417) 887-0340.