7 Surprising Ways Posture can affect your Health
When you're at your desk
sending last-minute emails, or deeply focused on editing that board
presentation, your posture is probably the last thing on your mind. Though most
of us probably don't actively think about our posture throughout the day, we
should: Posture can affect your
health in some seriously surprising ways.
Good posture can greatly
improve your energy levels. By limiting pain, alignment faults, and
sequelae of other injuries caused by poor posture, people are more likely to
live an active lifestyle and do so for longer. Good posture allows for easier respiration as you are putting your diaphragm in
the optimal position for breathing, which in turn can reduce pain.
While good posture can have
major health benefits like better energy and respiratory health, poor posture
can actually contribute to other health issues beyond neck or back pain.
1. Headaches
Many different things can
trigger a headache, but did you know your posture can play a role? There are
many kinds of headaches, but cervicogenic headaches originate in the neck.These headaches
start in the base of your neck and radiate up. They are typically caused by
forward head posture (i.e. head in front of your shoulders and trunk), which
places increased stress on the joints and muscles in your upper neck."
2. Fatigue & Sleep Issues
Poor posture can make you feel
more fatigued than usual. The body must work harder and expend more energy to
keep the body upright in the proper posture position, while fighting poor
posture habits. This requires increased energy and leaves one feeling tired. Postural
deficits can lead to pain and alignment changes that make it difficult to find
a comfortable sleeping position. This kind of pain can often wake people at
night.
3. Hip,
Knee, Or Ankle Pain
It's common knowledge that
poor posture can contribute to pain in your upper body, like neck or back pain,
but it can also cause discomfort in your lower
body. It’s hard to believe you can injure your lower extremities
while sitting. However, the joints in your lower extremities are very much
connected to your spine and posture — literally and figuratively. Altered
posture and muscle imbalances caused by poor posture can place strain on your
hips, knees and even feet.
4. Digestive
Problems
Digestive health problems can
be caused by a wide range of factors, but poor posture can contribute to stomach issues like acid
reflux or heartburn. When one assumes a slouched posture, the organs are
compressed in the abdomen, which makes it harder for the body to digest food,
and decreases one’s metabolism.
5. Thoracic
Outlet Syndrome
So, you may not have heard of
this syndrome before, but it's no less uncomfortable. Forward head posture and
slouched shoulders can restrict nerves and [blood] vessels in the lower neck,
and upper chest that supply your arms. Symptoms are often diffuse and mild
tingling, and/or numbness. This is known as thoracic outlet syndrome, and is
often improved with better posture,"
6. Stress
Yes, poor posture can cause
both physical and mental stress. Poor posture affects your
body’s natural alignment, which puts physical stress on the body and causes
soreness and pain. This can also translate into mental stress, decreasing one’s
motivation, and overall mood." Moreover, TIME reported
that a 2014 study found bad posture negatively
impacts your mood, and can contribute to depression and fear.
7. Arthritis
The
organization Arthritis Research U.K. explains that, in the long run,
poor posture can be extremely detrimental to your joint health, and can be a
contributing factor in developing arthritis. Posture is often modifiable, i.e.
we can change it. However as we age, poor posture can lead to joint
degeneration, arthritis and limited mobility, which turns into 'fixed' poor
posture. Making small changes now can prevent long term posture changes in the
future.
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