How’s Your Posture?

 

 

 

 

When you hear those three words do you find you automatically pull your shoulders back, tighten your abs and stand up straight? If so, your posture can probably use some help but many ask the question, “why is it so important?”

Health benefits to maintaining good posture
Good posture means your bones are properly aligned with your muscles, joints and ligaments. It means your vital organs are in the right position and can function at peak efficiency. Maintaining good posture allows your body to function as it’s intended too. When you maintain good posture It allows you to breathe easier, to perform tasks free of injury and it allows you the ability to improve your strength and endurance with exercise.

The Good News
Anyone can improve their posture, no matter their age or fitness ability. Focus on spending just a few minutes throughout your day on correcting your posture and soon you’ll find it becomes second nature to you. A good place to start is with the basics, monitor your posture when standing, sitting and lifting.

When standing – hold your head up straight, do not tilt your head forward, backward or sideways. Make sure your earlobes are in line with the middle of your shoulders. Keep your shoulders back, your knees straight and your core tight.

When sitting down – sit with your feet planted on the ground, your knees should be level with your hips. Your eyes forward and not looking down. Your shoulders back, your core tight and your chest out. If your job requires you to sit for several hours at a time, stand up and stretch as frequently as possible.

When lifting – let your legs do the work in order to prevent injury to your lower back. Stand close to the object, squat down, grasp the object while keeping it close to your body, and slowly lift the load by straightening your legs as you stand up.

Regular exercise is important to prevent injury. A program of strengthening, stretching and aerobic exercises will improve your overall fitness level. Research has shown that people who are physically fit are more resistant to back injuries and pain, and recover quicker when they do have injuries, than those who are less physically fit.

Source: Mayfield Brain and Spine

Attend one of the FREE exercise programs offered by the City of Los Fresnos at the Los Fresnos Memorial Park.

For more information contact Christine De La Rosa at 956-312-1406 or email at [email protected] or Los Frensos City Hall at 956-233-5768.