Sit Up Straight: How Your Posture Affects Your Health

Let’s face it: While you’re battling rush hour traffic, sitting at your desk job, or getting through your workout near Marlton, Whiting, Somerset, and Howell, you’re likely not thinking about how you’re holding yourself.

It’s only when you feel a twinge of pain or come out of your email-deleting hypnosis that you realize that you’re slumped over your desk like a vulture.

Well, despite how easy it may be to slouch in your office chair, sitting up straight has some huge payoffs for not only your overall health, but also your mental well-being.

To help you learn more, the state-licensed Doctors of Physical Therapy at Trinity Rehab are here with these insights on how your posture influences your health.

Headache Trigger

Most people get headaches every once in a while. But, if you find that this is something you experience after a long day of slouching at your desk, it could be that you’re dealing with a cervicogenic headache.

Put simply, cervicogenic headaches are stimulated by a secondary issue in your body, most commonly neck and spine strain.

So, why do you suffer from head pain after leaning over your computer? When you stretch your neck forward for long periods of time, the joints and muscles in your neck and spine have to work harder to support your head, which ultimately leads to discomfort.

Solution: If your computer or laptop causes you to look downward, use a few books or a rise to keep your screen at eye level. That way, you’ll be encouraged to sit up tall while reading your emails and prevent the slouching that’s associated with headaches.

Sleep Troubles and Fatigue

Have you ever been awoken in the middle of the night by a twinge of pain in your back? If so, poor posture could be the source of your nighttime restlessness.

That’s because leaning over your desk all day can cause spinal alignment issues and muscle pain throughout your body, both of which can act up while you’re trying to get some much-needed shuteye.

Over time, the lack of restful sleep will result in fatigue while you’re trying to adhere to your job’s responsibilities.

Solution: Fortunately, a cure for your sleepiness is as simple as purchasing a lumbar back pillow for your office chair. Thanks to the extra support in your seat, you’ll find it easier to sit up straight during the day.

Digestive Disruptions

When you remember to sit up straight, the organs in your body have the right amount of space to do their jobs effectively. However, if you spend hours slumped over your computer, the organs in your abdomen get compressed and don’t have enough room to digest your lunch properly.

All in all, those digestion difficulties may lead to other issues like heartburn, gas, and indigestion. Along with slower digestion comes a more sluggish metabolism, so make sure to fix that posture to keep your system working at its best.

Solution: A strong core provides you with the stability needed to maintain good posture. So, if you think your office chair isn’t helping you improve your sitting position, try a Balance Disc. By using one of these ab-strengthening tools, you’ll find it easier to sit up straight without a pillow behind your back.

Low Self-Esteem

While you may not think that something as simple as correcting your posture can boost your self-esteem, you’d be surprised to learn that sitting up straight has the power to do exactly that. Throughout the day, your body sends messages to your brain, all of which affect your current state of mind.

For example, slouching is now used as a diagnostic factor for those who suffer from anxiety and depression. By watching your posture, you’ll tell you subconscious and the minds of those around you that you’re more self-assured and capable. As a result, you’ll not only feel confident, but you’re also more likely to hold positive beliefs about yourself.

Solution: Give yourself an extra dose of self-esteem by setting a timer to go off every twenty minutes. Once the timer sounds, check your posture: Sit up straight, put your shoulders back, and make sure that your chin is parallel to the floor.

Fix Your Posture with Physical Therapy!

Perfecting your posture provides your body and mind with a host of health-boosting benefits, which includes helping patients near Marlton, Whiting, Somerset, and Howell avoid pain.

So, if you’ve been noticing that you’re not sitting up quite as tall as you’d prefer, look to the state-licensed physical therapists at Trinity Rehab for a posture overhaul.

With the assistance of our Doctors of Physical Therapy, you’ll be equipped with the personalized treatment plan needed to improve your posture. All you have to do is schedule your free screening, make your first appointment, or contact us today!