Have you noticed your neck seems stiff and sore at the end of a long day? Good news…you can take simple steps to find relief and minimize your neck pain!
I’m guessing some of you reading this will straighten up at the mere mention of the word posture, and most of you will slump right back into your usual slouchy posture seconds later. Unfortunately, once your body gets used to poor posture, it becomes more challenging to fix it, so start today (literally)!
A forward head posture and rounded upper back irritate these soft tissues, and our body alerts us through pain. This is partly due to the strain on our muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.
Often our response to this tension is to try and stretch it, thinking the tightness will improve if we do. Although some people will find temporary relief using this strategy, the real solution is directly addressing your posture.
Finding your “natural” posture is key to moving and feeling better. It is important to note that everyone has a unique posture, so if you ever hear there is a universally “right” posture, it is simply not true!
Try these tips:
- You can find your natural alignment by reaching your arms overhead and looking up at your hands. This causes your breast bone (sternum) to move towards the sky and causes lordosis (natural curve) in your lower back, resulting in your vertebrae aligning into your unique ideal posture.
- Use a lumbar roll to keep an arch (lordosis) in your lower back. The built-in lumbar supports only fit some people the same and may not fit you properly. Using a roll ensures it fits your unique needs.
- Set an alarm to get up and move. This is the most important and effective strategy because no matter how ideal your posture is, sitting longer than an hour is not good for your health (i.e., heart, lungs, digestion, back, neck, etc.)
Our spine is designed to move, so our posture should also move. The spine does not like remaining in any position for extended times. Check out the link for video on #1 and #2 above!
https://youtu.be/rETfsHVDfuU
Tags: neck pain, health and wellness, natural pain relief, posture
