Stretch yourself
Follow these tips and help reduce the risk of back problems from slouching, writes Lauren Taylor
Posture tips for homeworkers
Many of us were told as children to stand up straight – but how often do you inadvertently find yourself slouching over your desk, shoulders rounded, head dipped?
And we’d bet anything you’ve just straightened up after reading that? It’s almost like we need continual reminders throughout the day to remember our posture.
Generally speaking, our lives are becoming more and more sedentary, which doesn’t help when it comes to keeping our backs strong and healthy.
Physiotherapist Tim Allardyce (surreyphysio.co.uk) says if problems aren’t corrected early, people can end up with ‘dowager’s posture’ or a rounded, forward-flexed upper back.
“Eventually that causes all kind of problems with mobility, loss of balance, problems walking, and mechanical issues with the ribs,” says Allardyce.
Here are seven ways to help improve your posture now...
If you have a tendency to stick out your bottom, curve your pelvis slightly inward
Many of us naturally stand with our lower back curved outwards – it can be even more pronounced if you wear high heels.
Orthopaedic spine surgeon Dr Ken Hansraj says: “At the level of the spine, common sense dictates that the belly becomes more bellyshaped, [this lower curve in the spine is known as lordosis].
“With increased lordosis, the nerves have less space to exit and [are] more likely to be tweaked, causing pain, numbness and weakness. This curve in the spine also puts a strain on nerves in the lower back.”
Move your head slightly backwards This will straighten your upper spine. “When our posture is poor, we tend to sit or stand with a forward head posture, and that places strain on our neck muscles as they try to support the weight of the head,” says Allardyce.
Roll your shoulders back and down This is a classic, but slouching shoulders are very common and not
good for the shoulders, neck or upper back, Allardyce notes.
“The big problem with slouching is that we may develop an excessive kyphosis – that’s the normal forward curvature in our upper back. If we slouch a lot, this kyphosis can become exaggerated,” he says.
Use your core more
It seems we really underestimate how important core strength is when it comes to posture – and we’re not just talking about a six-pack or abs here, rather all the internal core muscles and stabilisers. “I believe the inner core muscle, called the psoas muscle, is a great indicator of spinal health and has great implications for ageing gracefully,” Hansraj says, adding that posture is an “important mitigation tool” to balance spinal forces most efficiently. In other words, helping balance the load on the spine.
Allardyce says: “Yoga is fantastic for strengthening the core, pelvic floor, and encouraging correct breathing. It is good for posture, and strengthening the scapula (shoulder blade) muscles.”
Watch your ‘text neck’
Modern life has created a very modern problem – text neck. It seems we’re looking down at our phones far too much and it’s contributing
to poor posture and neck pain. “The more phone and laptop use we do, the more we get into the habit of looking down,” says Allardyce. “To improve your posture, lift your chin, look along the horizon line.”
Sit less and sit better
Hansraj says sitting for prolonged periods can strain your back – but it’s the positioning that can make it even worse. So your posture in a chair is just as important as when standing.
Having both feet flat on the floor is vital, and he advises making sure your back is aligned against the back of the seat, keeping your shoulders straight and avoiding rounding forward. A lumber support pillow or just a rolled-up jumper behind your lower back will encourage you to stay in a good position too.
Try ‘the dart’
This is a Pilates exercise known for helping to promote good posture. Allardyce says: “Lie on your front. Squeeze your shoulder blades in a V-shape, down and in. Lift your arms behind you.
“You can make the exercise harder by turning the hands outwards or upwards, so the palms face away from your thighs. You can also lift your head slightly,” he adds.
Always seek advice from a doctor or physiotherapist before beginning any new exercise regime, especially if you have a history of pain or injuries. ■