We’ve heard it before, but we need to be vigiliant in ensuring we maintain good posture when both standing and sitting. In many cases, it is a combination of several factors that cause a person to have poor posture. Most poor posture is casued by:
- Excessive weight
- Weak muscles
- Muscles imbalances
- Laziness in paying attention to posture
- A poor mattress
- Visual Problems
- Feet and Back Problems
- Occupational Stress
- Poor pillow support
Standing Posture
If a plumb line was dropped down from your ear, you would notice the centre of gravity positioned in front of the ankle joints in those people with correct standing posture. Unforunately many people either stand with their centre of gravity over their heels or, as in the case of pregnant ladues, their weight is often too far forward and there is a need to arch backward. Both these positions increase joint stress on the lower back.
Standing Correctly
- Knees should be unlocked
- The pelvis should be rotated so that the pubic bone is as far forward as possible with the buttocks tucked under the body.
- The trunk of the body should lean forward fractionally from the waist so that the ear, shoulder, hip, knee and mid-foot are in a straight line.
For help with your posture or back pain, call us today at our Newport clinic- Back to Health Physiotherapy!
