If you’re like most people, you find yourself sitting for upward of 8 hours a day in front of the computer. Whether you have the screen or chair improperly set up or if you’re sitting incorrectly, it’s going to short the muscles in your front and your core. That’s because you’re leaning forward and overstretching the muscles in your back which can really throw your posture off.
When you throw your posture off that way, you’ll deteriorate over time. That’s why we sometimes see older patients who have what we call a hunchback. They’re hunched over from years of just sitting in an improper workstation.
Sitting Is the New Smoking
Years ago people looked at smoking as a significant risk factor for heart disease, high cholesterol, lung cancer and other serious conditions. Now they’re looking at sitting. While smoking is a harmful habit that contributes to multiple diseases, sitting is now considered the new smoking. So many people are leading sedentary lives by sitting on a day-to-day basis. If you find that you’re sitting improperly and not exercising enough, you could experience deteriorating health.
Overcoming Postural Issues
It’s important to adjust your computer screen to the right height. You also can have someone take a picture of you to show how you’re sitting at your workstation. Then compare that picture of what you look like to the picture on this page and see where your imbalances are.
You’ll be able to see if your head’s too far forward or if your seat is too low. Be your own critic. When you look at your picture, you’ll be able to determine right away if you have good posture. If you’ve been sitting improperly for a long time, you’re going to have some postural issues.
The good news? Going to a chiropractor can help correct those issues, get your spine back in alignment and help you achieve better overall health. By setting up your workstation correctly, you can avoid those areas where you might come out of alignment. You also can hold your adjustment longer and feel better.
If you’d like to achieve better posture, contact the practice today for a postural evaluation!
