Improving Posture & Alleviating Aches & Pains

Daily Habits Which Will Dramatically Improve Your Posture & Alleviate Nagging Aches & Pains By Dev Chengkalath Registered Physical Therapist If you’re like most people, you probably have these nagging aches and pains that just don’t seem to go away: tight shoulders, achy back, or a stiff neck. Or maybe you suffer from a combo of all three. You may wake up feeling good but as the day wears on, you feel the weight of the world crushing down on you. Driving in rush hour traffic, riding the packed subways, and sitting in your office chair in front of the computer all day, will take its toll on you. You’ve had enough. You’re tired of the aches and pain. What can you do? The following is a list of 6 essential daily habits which will dramatically improve your posture and alleviate your aches and pains. Exercise: Make sure you get at least 30 minutes a day of intentional exercise. If you want incredible results, aim for an hour or more. Make sure you incorporate both high intensity resistance training and cardio into your session (link to HPPT here). If you can’t find the motivation to push yourself on your own, it’s time to invest in yourself and hire a conditioning specialist to safely guide you back to optimal health. As a major bonus, you’ll lose that excess weight which will not only reduce the stress on your achy joints but also give you the sleek and sexy physique you’ve always wanted. Move more: The human body was designed to move. So move more often, and not just for exercise. Try to use your muscles whenever you can. For example, try the stairs instead of the elevator or the escalator. Walk places instead of driving. If you do drive, try parking farther away from the entrance and walk a bit more. At work, go for a walk during your lunch break. These are all simple habits that will increase your daily movement and keep you in better shape and better health. Fix your posture: The best posture is the one that keeps changing. So make sure you change your position often and avoid prolonged postures. These include long periods of driving, sitting on a couch, or working at a desk. If you have to sit, make sure your chair or workstation is adjusted for your body to minimize strain. Neutral posture starts with your hips and pelvis. From there, your head should be held tall with your chin tucked in. Keep your shoulder blades back and down and your chest up. Basically, think long and tall when sitting or standing. This will help you avoid slouching, just like your mother used to say. If you still need help improving your posture, any of our skilled therapists can assess you and implement an individualized program designed just for you. Fix your breathing: If you fix your posture, your breathing will improve automatically. Take big breaths and allow the air to enter deep into your belly. Exhale fully without forcing it. Proper breathing will allow you to use your muscles more efficiently without compensating or recruiting the wrong ones. Relax and de-stress: Taking time to relax and de-stress will probably make the biggest difference to your daily aches and pains. As your stress levels increase, your tolerance to pain decreases. Take time to meditate and release your daily tensions. Some of the most powerful tools include exercise, massage and yoga. Having a skilled massage therapist work on your tight and constricted muscles will do wonders!  Most importantly, laugh more and laugh often. There you have it. Six simple habits, if applied daily, will dramatically improve your posture and decrease your nagging aches and pains. To get started on your own personalized program to get you back to your favourite activities, please Contact SHAPE and get started on living your life, the way you deserve it. More Information About SHAPE Therapy & Training Programs

 

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