Modern comforts and busy schedules have made it all too easy to slouch. Slouching can cause major health problems over time, including headaches, pulled muscles, and back pain. Prolonged slouching also leads to musculoskeletal stress on both your vertebrae and the discs between the vertebrae. We’ve put together this list of tips to help you stop slouching and avoid these kinds of issues.
Steps
Video
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I improve my posture at work?Jason Myerson is a Physical Therapist and a Certified Orthopedic Specialist. He is affiliated with Performance Physical Therapy & Wellness with clinics located in Connecticut. He serves as adjunct faculty in the Physical Therapy Department at Quinnipiac University. Jason specializes in helping active people get back to hobbies, activities, and sports they love while utilizing an integrated approach to wellness. He holds an MA in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Arcadia University. He is Residency and Fellowship trained in Orthopedic Manual Therapy, achieved a Doctorate in Manual Therapy (DMT) and became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).Make sure your chair is high enough that your hips are level with or slightly higher than your knees when you're sitting. If your chair doesn't have good back support, place a pillow or a rolled-up towel behind your lower back for extra support. You should also double-check that your computer screen is in front of you and eye level. If it's not, raise it so it's eye level or stack it on something like a shoe box.
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QuestionIs carrying a heavy purse bad for you?Jason Myerson is a Physical Therapist and a Certified Orthopedic Specialist. He is affiliated with Performance Physical Therapy & Wellness with clinics located in Connecticut. He serves as adjunct faculty in the Physical Therapy Department at Quinnipiac University. Jason specializes in helping active people get back to hobbies, activities, and sports they love while utilizing an integrated approach to wellness. He holds an MA in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Arcadia University. He is Residency and Fellowship trained in Orthopedic Manual Therapy, achieved a Doctorate in Manual Therapy (DMT) and became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).It can be. Heavy loads from purses, backpacks, and other bags makes it hard to maintain your posture and can strain your muscles. If you must carry a heavy bag, try to balance it as best as you can so you're not overly relying on one side to hold it.
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QuestionWhat is the best viewing angle for a computer monitor?Jason Myerson is a Physical Therapist and a Certified Orthopedic Specialist. He is affiliated with Performance Physical Therapy & Wellness with clinics located in Connecticut. He serves as adjunct faculty in the Physical Therapy Department at Quinnipiac University. Jason specializes in helping active people get back to hobbies, activities, and sports they love while utilizing an integrated approach to wellness. He holds an MA in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Arcadia University. He is Residency and Fellowship trained in Orthopedic Manual Therapy, achieved a Doctorate in Manual Therapy (DMT) and became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).Position your computer monitor so that you're eye level with the middle of your screen. This will help you maintain a good posture and prevent strain.
Tips
References
- ↑ http://www.today.com/health/quit-your-slouching-how-fix-bad-posture-1D80232323
- ↑ http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/womens-health/advice/g1136/how-to-improve-posture/?slide=5
- ↑ Jason Myerson, DPT, DMT, OCS, FAAOMPT. Physical Therapist & Certified Orthopedic Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.
- ↑ Jason Myerson, DPT, DMT, OCS, FAAOMPT. Physical Therapist & Certified Orthopedic Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.
- ↑ http://www.today.com/health/quit-your-slouching-how-fix-bad-posture-1D80232323
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/back-pain/sls-20076817?s=2
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/back-pain/sls-20076817?s=5
- ↑ http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/womens-health/advice/g1136/how-to-improve-posture/?slide=3
- ↑ http://www.today.com/health/quit-your-slouching-how-fix-bad-posture-1D80232323
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/back-pain/sls-20076817?s=3
- ↑ Jason Myerson, DPT, DMT, OCS, FAAOMPT. Physical Therapist & Certified Orthopedic Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.
- ↑ http://www.today.com/health/quit-your-slouching-how-fix-bad-posture-1D80232323
- ↑ http://www.today.com/health/quit-your-slouching-how-fix-bad-posture-1D80232323
- ↑ https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/office-chair-how-reduce-back-pain
- ↑ http://www.today.com/health/quit-your-slouching-how-fix-bad-posture-1D80232323
- ↑ http://www.today.com/health/quit-your-slouching-how-fix-bad-posture-1D80232323
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6PJMT2y8GQ&t=6s
- ↑ https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/easy-chest-stretches-neck-pain
- ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2015/05/19/hunched-back-exercises/
- ↑ http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/how-select-best-chiropractor
About This Article
To stop slouching while you’re sitting down, keep your feet flat on the floor and lean back so your back is flush with the chair’s support. If you slouch worse at work, try moving your chair closer to your desk and adjusting your monitor so the middle of the screen is at eye level. Or, to stop slouching while you’re standing, pull your head back and pull your shoulders down and back until your hands naturally rest beside your thighs with your thumbs facing forward. Keep reading for advice from our Nurse reviewer on which exercises to use to prevent or reverse slouching!
Reader Success Stories
- "Wonderful! I'd got really fed up with years of seeing my slouching reflected in shop windows, so kept pulling my shoulders back to correct it then inevitably soon forgetting it. Never ever once occurred to me to stick my chest out instead, which had always felt odd and aggressive. Checked it out in the mirror immediately and wow, it looked perfectly normal! Thank you immensely for such a commonsense article! " ..." more