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Sit Up Straight!

Woman squinting at computer

Sit at a desk most of the day? Try setting intermittent alarms on your phone to check your posture!

Remember when your mother used to say things like, “Eat all your vegetables.” And, “Look both ways before crossing the street.” “A person is known by the company they keep.” And let’s not forget her mantra, “Sit up straight! Don’t slouch!”

She was offering excellent advice.

So many of us today work in sedentary jobs that require that we sit for most of the workday. However, whether at a desk, or at a football game, or in front of a television set, good posture is imperative for optimum spinal health.

Consider the way you’re sitting right this moment:

  • Is your head centered over your shoulders from front to back?
  • Are your feet flat on the floor?
  • Does the chair you’re sitting in provide enough lumbar support? Does the backrest fit into the natural curve of your spine? Are all your spinal curves properly supported?
  • Are your shoulders relaxed and even, not hunched in a forward position?
  • Is your body weight equally distributed across both hips?
  • Are your knees slightly lower than your hips?

If you answered “No” to any of these, you’re probably exerting undue stress on your spine.

Your sitting posture should resemble and experience piano player. This will allow for easy breathing and your upper body balanced over you hips.

In this video, I will demonstrate how to sit to strengthen your back and minimize the effects of sitting has on your back.

https://studio.youtube.com/video/d6HqLuOvcJ8/edit

 

Keep in mind that it is not a good idea to sit in the same position for more than 40 minutes. Chronic slouching affects the discs between the vertebrae and may cause bulging or herniation.

Remember to periodically take the time to stand up and stretch your back and legs or take a short walk.

If you must use the back rest, then try a chair that fits your spine, not just anyone’s.  Of coarse the using a back rest will weaken your back muscles that you will need when you are active.  Try sitting using no back rest for small periods of time and work your way up to longer periods of time. Remember you only get one spine and it affects so much of your life.  Taking care of it now will pay off well into the future.

Please reach out to use if you have any questions about proper sitting.

Be well

Dr. Randy

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