Correct Posture Month is celebrated throughout May to educate people on the importance of correct posture and its effects on someone’s quality of life. Foundation of Chiropractic Progress and other organizations have celebrated this holiday since 1959 to encourage good posture and to limit back pain in all Americans, including those with scoliosis. Dr. David Siambanes, the founder of Scoliosis Care, is taking this opportunity to highlight the importance of good posture and general tips for keeping your back straight and pain-free.
Posture and the way we carry ourselves can have a significant impact on one’s overall physical health. Incorrect posture can strain the body by using large amounts of energy, leading to exhaustion and back pain. People with scoliosis may face additional struggles to have good posture due to their preexisting condition. Those with scoliosis tend to lean to one side or forwards because of their spinal deformity. Without the proper guidance or training, attempting to correct these issues on your own may lead to more issues with the pelvis and knees.
Poor posture may be caused by reoccurring habits from everyday activities like sitting in office chairs, looking at the computer, staring down at a cell phone, carrying a bag or purse over the same shoulder, driving extended distances, prolonged standing, or how you sleep.
Bad posture is a habit amongst many people and like all bad habits, it can be challenging to fix. Those who have scoliosis may find it difficult to have good posture, leading many to avoid corrective measures, which leads to increased back pain.
Dr. Simabanes highly encourages everyone, including those with scoliosis, to practice good posture to help with lower back pain and decrease the risk of advancing their spinal condition. According to Dr. Siambanes, general tips on avoiding bad posture for Correct Posture Month include:
- Don’t slouch. Constantly slouching puts immense stress on your bones, muscles and joints in your back, increasing back pain. It can damage organs and causes strain on your lungs, making it harder to breathe.
Avoid staring at a phone. Looking down at a phone all day will cause severe pain in your neck and back. Hold the device at eye level to avoid straining your neck muscles when looking at a cellphone. - Get up and move. As your muscles tire throughout the day, slouching, slumping, and other poor postures become more likely. This leads to extra pressure on the neck and back. In order to maintain a relaxed and supported posture, change positions frequently by taking a break from sitting in one spot every half hour for two minutes in order to stretch, stand, or walk.
- Avoid wearing heels. Scoliosis is seen more in women than men and heels cause large amounts of stress to the spine. Heels can cause deformity through your backbones and pinch nerves, causing severe back pain. It is recommended to avoid wearing heels every day and wear them only for special occasions.
- Find the right mattress. Dr. Siamabanes recommends purchasing a firm mattress, especially if you are experiencing back pain. Stiffer beds cause less stress to the spine and hold the spine in place. This has a significant effect on your posture. Having a mattress that does not meet your body’s needs can lead to intense back pain and spinal issues.
While these are some general tips on avoiding bad posture, Siambanes encourages those with scoliosis to practice good posture every day to help relieve back pain and reduce the possibility of additional curvature of the spine, especially in growing teens. If you want more information on correct posture or have any additional questions, reach out to Scoliosis Care today!
