What is good posture?

Why is good posture important?

Posture is the alignment of the body with respect to the ever present force of gravity. Good posture allows an optimum distribution of this force through our body. This leads to a balanced state of the muscular skeletal system, allowing it to function efficiently and protect against injury or deterioration. Good posture also allows for the optimum positioning of the internal organs which can then perform more effectively.

What does good posture look like?

Starting from the ground up - the joints of the lower body (ankles, knees, and hips) should be neutral. Weight should be equally distributed through the left and the right legs. The hips should be level and not rotated, the spine should follow its natural curve, and the shoulders should be level and not rounded forwards or backwards. The head should not be forward, tilted to one side, or rotated. Bad posture is any position which deviates from this.

What happens when we have bad posture?

As a nation we spend longer slouched behind computer screens, driving cars and slumped in front of the TV and our posture is getting worse. Bad posture can cause certain muscles to become shorter and tighter and others to elongate. This can lead to aches, pains and general stiffness. If we are twisted into a bad position our body won't be able to perform as it's intended which can make us more prone to accidents and injury. Even a slight postural mis-alingnment can have a knock on effect somewhere else. Back problems, neck problems, shoulder injuries and headaches are just some of the problems that can be caused by poor posture.

Improving your posture

The jobs we do, the positions we spend most of the day in, our muscle imbalances and previous injuries can cause the body to be knocked out of optimum alignment and as such, no one has perfect posture. It's important to try and spot what your postural weaknesses are. Ask a friend to assess your posture. Hang a piece of string from the ceiling and stand next to it. Ask your friend to see if your body deviates forwards or backwards from this line. Simple exercises to stretch and strengthen muscles can then be used to restore muscle balance and improve the alignment of the body. By increasing your awareness of your posture you will be on the first step towards improving it, changing poor postural habits takes time and practice but the benefits to your body are more than worth the effort.