Stop Slouching: How to Fix Bad Posture Now

Maybe you’re suffering from back pain. Or maybe you’ve just started to notice tensed shoulders and slouching as habits that have started to creep into your day.

Either way, it’s time to stop slouching now, before serious problems occur from your poor posture. The fact is, back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. It’s also the second most frequent reason people visit a doctor. Yikes!

If left untreated, bad posture can start to effect your daily life. But if you start to break bad habits today, you can avoid back pain altogether — and greatly improve your future quality of life!

We’re going to tell you a few tips and tricks on how to fix bad posture so you can avoid serious problems with your spine.

Straighten Up! How to Fix Bad Posture

The stress bad posture puts on your spine is a slow accumulation over time. Sometimes, people don’t even notice until the toll starts to cause serious harm.

Here’s how to get on top of your posture now to prevent pain later.

Test Your Posture… and Become Aware!

The best first step is to assess the current state of your posture. Increasing awareness in your body will help you correct bad habits more consciously during every day.

You can do this in a couple of ways. First, basic wall tests have you stand against a flat surface to evaluate the curve of your spine.

Or, you can see a professional! A structural chiropractor can get a grasp on the state of your spine to give you a better understanding of where your current posture stands. It is always important to be sure that your posture is not just a secondary condition of an underlying structural shift.

Once you’re more aware of your posture and body’s ergonomics, you can move on to the next tip.

Basic Posture Tips and Tricks

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of easy-to-implement daily tricks for how to fix bad posture.

They’ll help you straighten up and fix nasty habits in no time! Here they are:

1. Work on your core strength.

Our spine and core are undeniably intertwined. The more support your back gets from your abdomen muscles, the less strain will be put on your delicate spine. Basic core exercises are a great start, but a targeted core exercise plan that works with your spine is essential.

2. Do some posture correcting exercises.

There are a ton of simple, easy to do exercises that help strengthen your back. Over time, they can help correct poor posture. These are always an important part of a structural correction treatment plan.

3. Evaluate your workspace.

Is your chair keeping your spine in an uncomfortable position? Is your desk at the right height? You spend a lot of time at work. Make sure your space is spine-friendly. We often recommend a sit/stand workstation along with ergonomic key board, mouse, and proper monitor position (at eye level or up to 1 inch above depending on the current state of your cervical spine structure).

4. Think about other parts of your body.

Make sure when you think about posture you aren’t purely focused on a neutral spine. Make sure your weight is being evenly distributed on each half of your body, whether it’s your feet while standing or derriere while sitting. We also recommend MOVEMENT while standing. Anyone who has had us work on their ergonomic workstation knows that I recommend having a step stool and alternating feet (think Captain Morgan’s stance).

Implement all of these simple strategies into daily life to enhance your posture. Your spine will appreciate the effort!

Tall, Proud, and Pain-Free

You’re now enabled with some knowledge on how to fix bad posture. The spine controls your nervous system, and in turn your whole body! Remember, if you have any questions or need clarification on how to implement any of these tips, please contact us.

Book a free consultation today — work towards living a back pain-free future.