Having good posture is good for your entire body. It means that your body is balanced and you use your muscles, joints, and ligaments correctly. As a result, you can prevent injuries, stay healthier for a longer time, and do more in your life.
It can be difficult to keep good posture because many people are stuck sitting behind a desk for much of the day. You can easily develop a habit of slouching, which changes the muscular makeup of your body. Slouching leads to bad posture, which can cause back and neck pain, constipation and reflux, poor spine health, and more.
Bad posture can develop over time and you may not even be aware that you have it. When your body becomes accustomed to using itself in a particular way, it actually ends up feeling natural. For this reason, people are always looking for ways to find out if they have bad posture. Continue reading to learn how to tell if you have bad posture.
Do You Have Continuous Neck and Back Pain?
If you have had bad posture for a while, you likely have chronic neck and back pain. You may notice that your neck or back is stiff, is sore, or feels tight. Good posture helps you to develop the muscles in your back and shoulders that keep your spine aligned properly and actually protect your back and neck. When you let this go, nothing is there to protect and hold your frame in place. As a result, the weight of your body alone can put stress on your neck and spine, which can lead to back and neck pain.
The best way to fix this problem is to make an effort to teach yourself how to have good posture again. There are a number of simple exercises that you can do; in a short time, you will find that your neck and back aches are a thing of the past.
Does Your Back Feel Hunched?
Another sign of bad posture is that your back is hunched or your neck is out in front of your body. This rounding of your upper back comes from years of bad posture. The muscles that hold your body upright are not used at all and your body compensates by rounding in your upper back. You might carry your head forward as part of this realignment as well. This position puts an incredible amount of stress on your joints.
When you have good posture, you will find that you can draw a straight line from your ear to your shoulder to your hip to your ankle. If you want to slowly work your way back to having good posture, there are low-impact exercises that you can do to transform back to the way your body is meant to be.
Do the Wall Test
The wall test is a quick and easy way to check and see whether you have bad posture. When you go to a wall, you can stand with your back to the wall. Leave about six inches between your heel and the wall, and check to see whether any of your body makes contact with the wall. If you have good posture, your head, shoulders, and bottom should touch the wall. Your lower back should not touch the wall and your body should feel aligned.
Bad posture, like bad breath, is common. It is easy to develop bad posture when you sit at a desk all day. You will want to stay aware of your body’s alignment and exercise to keep your muscles strong enough to hold your shoulders up. As you get older, you will enjoy a more active lifestyle longer if you have good posture. Notice if you have any nagging aches and pains, and stand against a wall to find out if you have bad posture.