Look and Feel Good by Standing Tall

By: Dr. Tiffany T. Butler | March 17, 2023 | Read Time: 8 minutes

Take a few minutes out of your day to observe the posture of others. Watch how people sit and stand. Observe how people move, walk, lift, or carry objects. What do you notice? Posture is like the window to the spine. Your posture conveys a non-communicable message about you and your health. As a chiropractor, I am always observing people’s postures. I just can’t help it! What I have noticed over the years in clinical practice, is a patient’s posture will tell me what’s going on with the patient before I speak to them. I observe the patient in the waiting room. I observe how they get up from a chair; and how they walk. Keep reading to learn why standing tall can improve your health and make you look good.

Good vs. Bad Posture

“Good” posture is when your spine maintains its normal curves when you are standing or sitting. When we are in good posture, the weight and stresses placed on the spine are eventually distributed and therefore, does not place unwanted strain on the bones, joints, and soft tissues. Click here to learn how your spine develops.

“Bad” posture is when your spine does not maintain its normal curves when you are standing or sitting. In addition, there are many reasons that can cause bad posture, including, pathology (e.g., arthritis), pain (e.g., we have a tendency to lean away from pain), scoliosis, joint dysfunction, and more.

Good Posture Reveals

People who have good posture are more likely to move their bodies, especially their spine (e.g., torso), painlessly and with ease. Their movements are fluid-like, without restriction and/or limitation. In addition, they tend to experience less pain at rest and during movements. Beneficially, maintaining a good posture when performing activities such as lifting, carrying, pulling, or pushing objects, will reduce your chances of injuring yourself. Keeping your spine straight, allows your spine to be protected; as the muscles contract, it serves as an internal brace, protecting the spine against unexpected movements.

Bad Posture Exposes

Bad posture will expose the abnormalities in your body. In other words, if your muscles and ligaments are tight or shortened, your body will be in an abnormal position. Furthermore, when the muscles and ligaments are tightened, the body is not able to move freely or with ease. Instead of body movements being fluid-like and free; they are rigid and stiff. Moreover, bad posture affects you’re breathing. When you are in a slouched position, this decreases the amount of space for your lungs to expand when you are breathing, thereby, making your breathing shallow, and not getting enough oxygen to your lungs and the rest of the tissues.

Here are the benefits of having a better posture:

• You experience less pain when resting.
• You experience less pain with movement.
• Your movements are fluid-like and require less effort.
• Your muscles are less tense.
• Your body is more relaxed and calmer.
• You appear more confident.
• You appear more attractive and surer of yourself.

Click the link to see what exercises and stretches to perform for better posture. Click here to learn how chiropractic care can improve your posture through spinal adjustments.

Dr. Tiffany T. Butler (aka “The Pain Doctor”) is a chiropractor, author, and entrepreneur. She leads Harmonious Living Chiropractic: Fitness & Wellness Center, a pain management practice, in offering healthcare solutions that focus on patient-centered care. Her team consists of individuals who are passionate about improving patient outcomes by providing chiropractic care, in conjunction with therapeutic procedures. Their services have helped hundreds of people find pain relief and improved their quality of life. To learn more about Dr. Butler visit https://www.drtiffanybutler.com/dr-butler/ Connect with Dr. Butler on social media #drtiffanybutler @drtiffanybutler