Many of us have been told to sit up straight by a parent, teacher or other authority figure in our life, but did you know that having good posture can actually impact your overall health? While sitting up straight may cause back pain initially, making a conscious effort to sit up straight in your daily life can go a long way for your body.

If you would like to learn more about good posture and its overall health impact, your AFC Urgent Care Smyrna team is here to tell you all about it.

What Are the Benefits of Good Posture?

Good posture is vital to having good balance, which matters far more often than just when you are walking.

Having good balance can prevent injury when exercising as it will boost your form in nearly any physical activity—and even if you are not exercising, balance is vital for moving about, going up and down stairs and living a healthier life as you age.

What Good Posture Means

• Chin parallel to the ground
• A neutral spine, without rounding or arching
• Shoulders that are up, back and even
• Body weight distributed evenly when sitting or standing

What Causes Poor Posture?

Poor posture is not just a bad habit—it is something our bodies can develop without us being conscious of it for several reasons.

Inflexible muscles throughout the abdomen and the hips can tug your upper body down, bringing your shoulders along with it. Weak core muscles can also make it more difficult to hold your shoulders upright, leading to slouching.

How to Improve Your Posture

• Stretch your whole body regularly to loosen muscles.
• Do core and back exercises to strengthen muscles.
• Regularly remind yourself to check your posture.

Here at AFC Urgent Care Smyrna, we want to help you live your best and healthiest life. If you need an appointment to talk with one of our doctors, you can contact us today to learn more about healthy living.