How can paying attention to my posture help me?

By: Jeanette Rupar, LMT, BCTMB

Each day, we go through our lives without thinking about all of the ways we use our bodies.  Walking, chores, cooking, working at our desks. And then, at the end of the day, our bodies are sore, stiff, and we have no real idea why.  

Let me ask you…  Do you notice your posture when you are at your desk?  When you are sweeping your floor, washing your dishes? How about when you are prepping and cooking your food?  Many people today don’t have the greatest of posture. Even now, as I am sitting here writing this blog, my head is a bit more forward than it should be, my shoulders are curved inward, not squared back in a more neutral position.

Neutral position you say??  Wha… ???

Your body is an amazing thing.  There is a natural curve to your spine (I’m sure you knew that, though).  Your muscles also work together to keep your body not only moving, but to keep your posture (and body) in a very neutral position so that not one thing is overstretched.  For example: Your pectoralis (pec) muscles and the smaller muscles of your back (traps, rhomboids, etc) are neutral when your shoulders are squared up. When shoulders get rounded, the muscles in your back can become overstretched and sore.  Which can be quite unpleasant. Which is why watching your posture when you are sitting working on your computer is so important. Or why you shouldn’t keep your head down all the time to look at your phone (or read your paper/book, whatever).  

Which is why checking in with your body every once in a while through the day can be important.  Notice where you are starting to get a bit sore, and then notice how you are sitting, or standing, or moving.  What position is setting off the soreness. If you are having a tough time figuring it out, talk to someone to see if they can help see what is happening, or to make suggestions as to help your posture so that your body starts to become once again balanced.