I am 33 years old and my husband has told me before that I have bad posture. Recently I have noticed that it seems to be drastic, like a 4-6 inch difference between how I was sitting versus sitting up straight. I notice it the most when I am at the computer. I just went back to school, so maybe that is why I am noticing it more. Any tips on how to improve posture. I would say that I am moderatly healthy 5'6" 148lbs, could be better, but it is not too bad. I go in exercising spurts where I will exercise for a month or two then stop for a month or two. My parents don't necessarily have bad posture, but I remember my great great aunt was extremely hunched over! Any advice, or should I just go to a doctor? Thanks so much for all of your help. Happy Thanksgiving!!
If your posture is worrysome enough, perhaps you should have your doctor evaluate you...I am not a doctor advocate...I am not into western medicine...but most people aren't, so I think for peace of mind you should seek medical advice first.
If your doctor gives you the green light, pilates and yoga are great! Both require stretches that are wonderful for the back...try it!
I agree with that it's most likely muscle memory. I had a friend with this problem back in high school. I had a problem of my own (don't remember it) and we just vowed to help each other to remember. If I saw her slouching, I would remind her not to and if she saw me, she would remind me. Ask your husband if there's anything that he does/doesn't do that he needs help with reminding. Then help each other. If there's nothing for him, then just ask him to remind you. I would suggest, too, that instead of him saying, "sit up straight!", that he just say "posture" or something. If he's barking a command about it several times a day, you'll start to get annoyed and resentful, most likely. So just ask him if he sees you slouching (which he has obviously noticed) to say "posture". Eventually, you'll notice it a lot yourself and correct yourself. Then, eventually, you'll just stop slouching, hopefully. Hope this helps- it worked for me and my friend.
Hi there I could recommend seeing a chiropractor to see if any of the posture problems are structure based. When its structure based your body holds itself in "bad postures" to compensate, in which you may think you are straight but you are not. Congrats on going back to school! Try propping up your books when reading, yoga/pilates are good too for stretching and core work, and also you can try ball or seat cushions that work like the ball. By the way I am chiro and if you would like help finding someone close to you let me know. Hope this helps, good luck!
I might suggest when your at your computer use a yoga ball. You know the big balls people use for exercise, try sitting on that while your at your computer it basically forces you to sit up straight, not only that but you will be strengthening your core, and back muscles as well. hope that works out for you.
It wouldn't hurt to have a dr. check you out. It would be very unusual for someone under 50 to have osteoporosis, but it could happen. See if your dr. recommends a bone density scan. Yoga would be one of the best excercises for your posture, and very calming for a frazzled Mommy, too!
Try joining a regular yoga class. It will make you more aware of your posture and how to correct it. Pilates works really well too, but sometimes in the group classes you won't get the attention you need to do each exercise correctly.
My chiropractor and personal trainer both have shown me how to improve my posture....I wish I could afford a personal trainer all the time, but for the few times I went, she gave me exercises to do to correct the muscle memory.
Poor posture can be caused from several things. Quite commonly are embarassment of one's height (if you think you are tall, or if you were tall in grade or high school) or even as a way to try to draw attention away from your breasts. (larger breasted women are sometimes self aware and sometimes it's just plain old laziness! I am a yoga instructor and used to have poor posture and now i am very aware of my posture. It takes muscles and awareness of those muscles to sit up or stand up straight! It's very bad for your back to slouch and it's unattractive. Slouching makes you look heavier too, if for the only reason that is a good enough one for me to stand and sit up! Try some yoga classes to make you more aware of your body and what it's trying to tell you! Best of luck!
I am bad about my posture too. It can lead to severe spinal problems. I've been going to Kingwood Chiropractic Associates and seeing Cody McComb. He has been helping me with my posture and explained what is going on with my spine. Ten years ago and last time I saw chiropractor was for a car accident. The doc told me my neck has lost its natural curve, it was straight, and that I need to work on it. I blew it off. Now my neck has a reverse curve and discs are starting to deteriorate. Cody showed me how to work muscles along with chiropractic care to eventually get my neck back into its natural curve.
Maybe you need calcium. I like the viactive chews. Also, if you just went back to school, are you reading your books with your neck down? If so, try propping your book on the table so that you can read sitting up straight. A teacher of mine used to warn us about student's neck and how we should not read with our neck down such as we might if our book is in our lap rather than on a table.
Hi M.,
Typically it is as easy as pec stretching, back strengthening (rows, lats, etc), core stabilization, body mechanics awareness and constantly reminding yourself to sit up straight. It takes less effort to slouch than to sit erect, so what has probably happened is that you are very busy taking care of your family and you have developed a slouching habit...it is a muscle memory thing...Good luck. Feel free to contact me with further questions if you would like. I am a women's health physical therapist in San Antonio.
C. Cox, PT
www.FitmamasSA.com
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