May is Good Posture Month:  Stand Tall and Straight 

Why is good posture important? According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there are several reasons:

1. It helps your body perform at its best.
2. It allows you to move freely and easily for long periods of time.
3. It prevents pain. If your bones are not in their ideal alignment, the muscles, joints and ligaments move into compromised positions where they cannot function optimally. This may lead to fatigue, muscular strain, and pain.
4. The function and position of internal organs is affected by posture, particularly those in the abdominal region.
5. It makes us feel good. We have more confidence, grace, and well-being.

What does good posture look like?
In good posture, all of the weight bearing load joints are vertically aligned directly atop one another (the ear is stacked over the shoulder, over the hip, over the knee, over the ankle) and the load joints are parallel horizontally (shoulders and hips are the same height).

There should also be three curves present in the spine when viewed from the side: a slight forward curve in the neck (cervical curve), a slight backward curve in the upper back (thoracic curve), and a slight forward curve in the low back (lumbar curve).

The best way to assess your posture is to have a posture evaluation by a physical therapist or certified fitness trainer.

You can actually improve your posture with simple, gentle exercises. The key is to practice the exercises every day. Because we are patterning the body to sit, stand, and walk differently, it needs daily reminders and practice being in these new positions. All your efforts will be worth it, however, because improved posture feels very, very good.

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