Looking after your posture is essential for good health. Yet, far too many of us neglect our posture. That means, from time to time, we all need to fix our posture.
How can you fix your posture? Your Back Pain Relief has taken a look at the best ways in which you can improve your posture and get rid of niggling back pain.
How to Fix Poor Posture Easily
You know that you have problems with poor posture when you experience back pain. Back pain related to poor posture is often experienced in the upper back as well as the lower back.
The good news is that you can fix poor posture naturally. Stick with our recommended methods and you will also prevent back pain from returning.
Ergonomic Chairs and Desks
One of the best ways to permanently get rid of posture problems is to make sure that you sit in the right position.
Far too many of us sit in chairs that don’t support our posture. Since many of us started to work from home, posture problems have become more or less epidemic.
Why is that? The reason is simple – we sit in the wrong type of chairs. When you work from home, you often end up sitting hours at your desk on a dining room or kitchen chair.
Just like when you work in an office, it is important to have an ergonomic chair or a posture corrector. A good quality chair does not have to cost a fortune.
Also, don’t forget to check your desk. Maybe you don’t have a desk. Many homeworkers put their laptops on the dining room or kitchen table to work. Often this means your seated position is not the best.
If you can afford to, it is best to invest in an office desk and an ergonomic chair. This is the smartest way of saving on medical costs associated with poor posture.
Back Supports
Don’t shy away from back supports. If you are experiencing back pain as a result of poor posture, they are the best way of regaining your physical freedom.
The choice of back supports is pretty endless. You can buy back supports that you strap to your body. They are not heavy and can be used when stationary and moving.
You can also buy back supports that you can fix to your chair. However, buying an ergonomic chair right from the start is a better idea.
If your back pain gets worse when you exercise, you should consider buying a specialist support. Thanks to innovative designs, you can even buy back support for swimming.
Exercise: Does It Help?
Does exercise help to fix poor posture?
Exercise is one of the best ways apart from supports and ergonomic chairs to improve your posture.
Some exercise methods are better than others. When you experience poor posture, it is best to stay away from high-impact exercise.
Best aerobic exercises for posture improvement include walking and swimming. If you have been unfortunate enough to experience sciatica, your doctor or physiotherapist probably recommended swimming or walking.
When you walk, maintaining a good posture is crucial. The best way to do so is to wear a support and use Scandinavian walking poles. You will quickly notice an improvement once you start walking.
MBT shoes (Masai walking shoes) are excellent when you have problems with poor posture. Almost as soon as you put them on, you will notice they support you to adopt a better posture.
You stand straighter which means your body is better aligned. This helps to reduce pressure on the spine. If you have poor posture, you will almost certainly feel better when you wear MBT shoes.
Other Exercises
Of course, there are other forms of exercise that can help you fix posture problems.
The best ones include yoga, tai-chi and pilates. But you should not shy away from strength training and weight lifting.
Strength training does not mean you have to lift weights. Instead, you may find yourself working with Dyna bands and other bands. If you have poor leg strength, fabric-type resistant bands are particularly useful.
Why does leg strength matter? Leg strength helps us to lift objects in the right way. Poor leg strength can lead to posture problems.
Strength training with resistance bands gently helps you to increase your muscle strength and increase the flexibility of your tendons. You can focus exercises on the weak parts of your body.
Weight lifting is another way to increase muscle strength and improve your posture. When you lift weights, it is important that you stand in the right position. This increases the benefits you get from working out with weights.
If you are experiencing posture problems and want to try strength training or weight lifting, finding a professional trainer is a good idea. Once they have guided you in the right direction, you can start working out on your own.
Don’t forget to mix and match your strength training exercises with walking and swimming.
Can Diet Help?
Although diet does not directly support your posture, there is an indirect link.
Eating anti-inflammatory foods such as oily fish and cruciferous vegetables reduces inflammation. When you reduce inflammation, the pain caused by poor posture is reduced.
If you have problems with poor posture, it is always best to take a varied approach.
Final Thoughts
There is not one perfect solution to fixing posture problems. The best thing you can do is to find a regime that works for you.
Remember that we are all unique. Back pain is often a result of poor posture and affects us all differently.
If you experience back pain, you should always check your posture. Sitting in the right position and moving in the right way is important. The right kind of support can help.
Don’t forget that exercising helps to improve your chances of getting rid of poor posture for good. A combination of the recommended solutions is the best way to fix poor posture.