How's Your Posture?

This is the question that was asked in our last newsletter we sent to our patients. If you’ve read that newsletter, you now know some basic information about posture. If you haven’t, please see it linked on our website.

As promised, here are some proper positions for your posture, with help from the American Chiropractic Association.

How do I sit properly?

• Keep your feet on the floor or on a footrest, if they don't reach the floor.
• Don't cross your legs. Your ankles should be in front of your knees.
• Keep a small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat.
• Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips.
• Adjust the backrest of your chair to support your low- and mid-back or use a back support.
• Relax your shoulders and keep your forearms parallel to the ground.
• Avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time.

How do I stand properly?

• Bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet.
• Keep your knees slightly bent.
• Keep your feet about shoulder-width apart.
• Let your arms hang naturally down the sides of the body.
• Stand straight and tall with your shoulders pulled backward.
• Tuck your stomach in.
• Keep your head level-your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders. Do not push your head forward, backward, or to the side.
• Shift your weight from your toes to your heels, or one foot to the other, if you have to stand for a long time.

What is the proper lying position?

• Find the mattress that is right for you. While a firm mattress is generally recommended, some people find that softer mattresses reduce their back pain. Your comfort is important.
• Sleep with a pillow. Special pillows are available to help with postural problems resulting from a poor sleeping position.
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
• Sleeping on your side or back is more often helpful for back pain.
• If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs.
• If you sleep on your back, keep a pillow under your knees

Affecting your posture on a daily basis is also your computer workstation. It is hard to pinpoint the countless positions your computer, keyboard, chair, mouse, etc. should be in. We have decided to link you to OSHA’s website on computer workstation checklist to ensure that your posture isn’t hindered by your work station placement.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/pdffiles/checklist1.pdf

Go ahead and compare your workstation and the workstation of those around you for proper placement. If you notice your posture has changed or is changing, if you are starting to have pain, please contact us at Magna Chiropractic today at 746-9400.