Posture: A simple way to reduce back pain

The Mind and Body are Connected

The Japanese martial artist Morihei Ueshiba once said, "a good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind." He was most likely speaking with martial arts in mind when he said that quote, but you don't have to know karate, jiu-jitsu, or even kung foo to understand the important sentiment of this expression. The mind and body are inseparably connected. When one suffers, the other is soon to follow.

Human bodies are designed to move and be active. They were never meant to sit for long periods of time. In this day and age, a good amount of us spend the majority of our day hunched or slouched over working or looking at a screen whether it be for our jobs, school, or entertainment. Overtime, this poor posture can be harmful to our well-being. One of the main side effects of sitting for extended periods of time can be pain in the neck and back. If you work a desk job or sit for long amounts throughout the day, you probably understand this.

Improving Posture

One of the best things you can do if you experience back or neck pain related to a stagnant lifestyle is to focus on your posture throughout the day. Activities as simple as taking walks during breaks, stretching occasionally throughout the day, or making a conscious effort to sit-up straight while sitting can improve the discomfort you feel from poor posture.

It may not happen overnight, but by making a concerted effort to improve your posture throughout the day, the pain in your neck and back can be minimized. If you can't seem to get the relief you are looking for, being adjusted by a chiropractor can help realign your spine to combat the ails caused by bad posture.

Something as simple as implementing a little extra movement throughout your day has the ability to improve the well-being of mind and body.

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