Why is it so difficult to maintain good posture?

It is difficult to maintain good posture due to the following reasons:

• Most of our days are spent in front of a computer screen, which may lead to muscular tension and bad posture when sitting for extended periods of time. 

• Heavy bags, purses or backpacks contribute to an uneven distribution of weight, especially when favoring a dominant arm or shoulder, leading to poor ergonomics and bad posture.

• Believe it or not, slouching actually puts pressure on your body, and takes energy to compensate. We don't always pay close attention to our bodies and may end up slouching without even noticing.

• High heels or other uncomfortable shoes that we often wear, lack support, and have an effect on how we walk and stand. Compensation from wearing poor footwear may cause poor posture due to issues with misalignment of the spine, or foot, back and leg pain.

Consequences of Poor Posture

Bad posture has several negative health implications, often linked to increased back, neck and shoulder pain, and as a cause of migraine headaches, or even trigger points located all along your spine. Poor posture contributes to digestive problems and breathing mechanics, which further affects energy levels, mood, and sleep quality, increasing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Besides all of the affects on your health, it also affects how we look and feel, sometimes making us appear tired, stressed out, or even "older", causing a negative impact on our self-esteem and how others may perceive you. 

Benefits of Improved Posture

Good posture has immense health benefits. Improving your posture facilitates proper breathing, increases energy levels, and reduces tension and pain and protects against potential injury. Practicing correct body alignment makes you look good and feel good! 

Many people affirm that practicing yoga, or some other kind of exercise on a regular basis, has helped to increase their body awareness and achieve better balance throughout their body. There is no “one size fits all” solution, but there are many different practices and techniques that will help you find what works best for your specific situation.

Several types of posture improvement services available in Belmont, CA include the following:

• Posture correction exercises, such as the Alexander Technique and yoga

• Chiropractic care or physical therapy can also help to improve your spine alignment.

• There is a range of other services such as corrective shoes for both children and adults (e.g., insoles) that you could consider if you need more support in maintaining good posture while standing. These may be particularly useful during pregnancy when women tend to experience back pain due to their changing bodies and weight gain.