"Stand up straight! Have good posture!" How many times have we heard that before? Why is good posture and good ergonomics (the science of adapting the job and/or equipment and the human to each other for optimal safety and productivity) such important topics? We all know that people who slouch throughout their lifetimes usually end up with slumping spines and mid back humps later in life. Not only does it look bad, it feels bad, too!
Muscles, bones, ligaments, and discs get moved out of their proper alignment, causing much higher incidences of degenerative arthritis, inflammation, irritation, immobility, and pain. Spines that are continually put under improper postures are suffering from repetitive stresses or micro-traumas. Those little traumas that seem so insignificant on a daily basis can add up to big problems later in life. Not only does bad posture and improper ergonomics cause spinal degeneration and improper curvatures, it also causes multiple levels of nerve interference, called vertebral subluxations.
When vertebrae are misaligned out of their proper positioning, the nerves and spinal cord can be impinged, causing pain, numbness, dysfunction, and dis-ease. Many conditions can arise from this state, such as asthma, allergies, sinuses, headaches, neck and back pain, numbness, digestive problems, colic, ear infections, arm/leg pain or weakness, fatigue, and stress.
What does great posture look like? Your head should be up, eyes level and looking straight ahead, shoulders back and relaxed, and stomach pulled in tightly. Looking from the side, a straight line should be able to be drawn from the ears, side of the shoulders, and middle of the hips. Sitting posture should look exactly the same, with the addition of hips being equal to or slightly higher than the bent knees. The lower back should have proper cushions or support so that no slumping of the mid back or lower back occurs.
Proper ergonomics create an environment of ease and efficiency, minimal pain and discomfort, and optimal performance and safety for the person. Whether it is an ideal computer and office set-up, work station or equipment lay out, good ergonomics is critical to your health. Also, symmetry is key to attaining great health and function. Whatever is done to one side must be done to the other side, or else imbalance will inevitably occur over time. If you have to bend or lean to one side, then give the other side as much time as possible. If you slouch, lean back, or cross your legs, make sure to keep moving and changing sides, always returning to good posture. Make sure you take stretch breaks if you are forced into bad positions, and whenever you can, do the mirror image of your improper work. These little tips for balancing and minimizing the impact of bad posture and ergonomics will pay big dividends in the future.
Just remember that each time you change your posture or spinal alignment can cause soreness and pain, even if it's for the better! It can take days to weeks for your body to get accustomed to any new exercise, posture, or spinal alignment. Be patient in the beginning when you feel fatigued from trying to stay in the correct position. Eventually your body will adapt to this new optimal state, and will reward you with greater energy and vitality!
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