Posture ranks right up at the top of the list when you are talking about good health. It is as important as eating right, exercising, getting a good night's sleep and avoiding potentially harmful substances like alcohol, drugs and tobacco. Good posture is a way of doing things with more energy, less stress and fatigue. Without good posture, you can't really be physically fit

Surprised? Well, you're not alone. The importance of good posture in an overall fitness program is often overlooked by fitness advisers and fitness seekers alike. In fact, the benefits of good posture may be among the best kept secrets of the current fitness movement.

The good news is that most everyone can avoid the problems caused by bad posture...and you can make improvements at any age.

Good Posture = Good Health
 

We're a health conscious society today and good posture is a part of it. Because good posture means your bones are properly aligned and your muscles, joints and ligaments can work as nature intended. It means your vital organs are in the right position and can function at peak efficiency. Good posture helps contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Without good posture, your overall health and total efficiency may be compromised. Because the long-term effects of poor posture can affect bodily systems (such as digestion, elimination, breathing, muscles, joints and ligaments), a person who has poor posture may often be tired or unable to work efficiently or move properly.

Even for younger people, how you carry yourself when working, relaxing or playing can have big effects. Did you know that just fifteen minutes reading or typing when using the wrong positions exhausts the muscles of your neck, shoulders and upper back?

How Does it Happen?
 

Often, poor posture develops because of accidents or falls. But bad posture can also develop from environmental factors or bad habits. This means that you have control.

Today, posture-related problems are increasing:

1. As we become a society that watches more television than any previous generation.
2. As we become a more electronic society, with more and more people working at sedentary desk jobs or sitting in front of computer terminals.
3. As more and more cars are crowding our roads, resulting in accidents and injuries.
4. And as we drive in cars with poorly designed seats.
    

In most cases, poor posture results from a combination of several factors, which can include:

• Accidents, injuries and falls
• Poor sleep support (mattress)
• Excessive weight
• Visual or emotional difficulties
• Foot problems or improper shoes
• Weak muscles, muscle imbalance
• Careless sitting, standing, sleeping habits
• Negative self image
• Occupational stress
• Poorly designed work space

Poor Posture Causes Pain
 

A lifetime of poor posture can start a progression of symptoms in the average adult. It can start with... Fatigue - your muscles have to work hard just to hold you up if you have poor posture. You waste energy just moving, leaving you without the extra energy you need to feel good.

Tight, achy muscles in the neck, back, arms and legs - by this stage, there may be a change in your muscles and ligaments and you may have a stiff, tight painful feeling. More than 80% of the neck and back problems are the result of tight, achy muscles brought on by years of bad posture.

Joint stiffness and pain - at risk for "wear and tear" arthritis, or what is termed degenerative osteoarthritis. Poor posture and limited mobility increase the likelihood of this condition in later years.

Test Yourself for Posture Problems

The Wall Test - Stand with the back of your head touching the wall and your heels six inches from the baseboard. With your buttocks touching the wall, check the distance with your hand between your lower back and the wall, and your neck and the wall. If you can get within an inch or two at the low back and two inches at the neck, you are close to having excellent posture. If not, your posture may need professional attention to restore the normal curves of your spine.

The Mirror Test - (Front view) Stand facing a full length mirror and check to see if: 1. your shoulders are level, 2. your headis straight, 3. the spaces between your arms and sides seem equal, 4. your hips are level, your kneecaps face straight ahead, and 5. your ankles are straight. (Side View) This is much easier to do with the heal of another, or by taking a photo. Check for the following: 1. head is erect, not slumping forward or backwards, 2. chin is parallel to the floor, not tilting up or down, 3. shoulders are in line with ears, not drooping forward or pulled back, 4. stomach is flat, 5. knees are straight, 6. lower back has a slightly forward curve (not too flat or not curved too much forward, creating a hollow back).

The 'Jump' Test - Feel the muscles of your neck and shoulders. Do you find areas that are tender and sensitive? Are the buttock muscles sore when you apply pressure? What about the chest muscles?

Tips for Good Posture
 

• Keep your weight down - excess weight, especially around the middle, pulls on the back, weakening stomach muscles.
• Develop a regular program of exercise - regular exercise keeps you flexible and helps tone your muscles to support proper posture.
• Buy good bedding - a firm mattress will support the spine and help maintain the same shape as a person with good upright posture.
• Pay attention to injuries from bumps, falls and jars - injuries in youth may cause growth abnormalities or postural adaptations to the injury or pain that can show up later in life.
• Have your eyes examined - a vision problem can affect the way you carry yourself as well as cause eye strain.
• Be conscious of where you work - is your chair high enough to fit your desk? Do you need a footrest to keep pressure off your legs?

Normal Posture
 

Perfect standing posture is when the following are properly aligned--the points between your eyes, chin, collarbone, breastbone, pubic area and midpoint between your ankles;

• From the side, you can easily see the three natural curves in your back;
• From the front, your shoulders, hips and knees are of equal height;
• Your head is held straight, not tilted or turned to one side;
• From the back, the little bumps on your spine should be in a straight line down the center of your back.

Obviously, no one spends all day in this position. But, if you naturally assume a relaxed standing posture, you will carry yourself in a more balanced position and with less stress in your other activities.

Poor Posture

When you have poor posture, the body's proper vertical position is out of alignment and the back's natural curves become distorted.

• Head Forward or Slouched Posture:
• Rounded shoulders
• Head forward, rounded upper back
• Arched lower back
• Protruding buttocks
• Chest flattens
• Abdominal organs sag, crowding and making more work for heart and lungs