The way we hold our bodies when we are sitting and standing often goes overlooked. It’s one of those things we tend not to think or pay too much attention to, but we really should. Unless we put in the effort to straighten up, our shoulders will unintentionally slouch forward, and that results in our chest and stomach compressing. None of these positions are good for the body. 

Good posture means having a neutral spine. It means that the muscles are supported and our bodies are balanced. There are countless benefits to maintaining good posture. It can decrease headaches and tension and pain in the back, neck and shoulders, increase energy and productivity levels, lessen the risk for wear and tear on the joints, and improve breathing, blood flow and circulation and digestion. 

Having good posture also helps strengthen the core and upper back, and can also contribute to improving your athletic performance whether in sports or at the gym. When you stand up straight, don’t be surprised if you suddenly look taller. Even just slightly slouching forward can take inches off of your height! Sometimes people refer to this as a “power stance.” Standing up straight with your shoulder blades pulled back, chest upright and head and neck in alignment has the tenacity to give one a sense of self-confidence and strength.

At Dr. Gena Chiropractic, your favorite family chiropractor in Plantation, a lot of our patients come to see us complaining of lower back and neck pain. More often than not, poor posture is the culprit behind this pain — but the real reason is that many people are spending way too much time hunched over a computer or laptop or staring down at their phones and tablets, and not practicing the correct posture while doing so. 

But hope is not lost! With a few simple lifestyle changes, you can combat those aches and pains caused by poor posture. These are Dr. Gena Chiropractic’s top posture tips for holding your phone and using the computer:

Always maintain a straight, neutral position. This means your ears and head should be in line with your shoulders, hips, knees and ankles, with no added lateral deviation. When on any kind of device — whether it be a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer e-reader, etc. — the goal is to maintain that same erect posture. 

If you are using a handheld device, hold it up in front of you so that the screen is at eye level. When using a computer, find a way to lift or raise the screen so that it is eye level. An adjustable monitor riser, like this one, is the ideal gadget to use. Just prop it up on your desktop and you’re good to go. For laptops, you can get an external keyboard and mouse, and then put the laptop on the monitor riser so it is eye level. The goal here is to avoid having to look downward at the device, which can put excess strain on the neck. 

Ergonomics, which refers to the efficiency of a work environment, can make a huge difference in maintaining good posture while on your phone and computer. This in turn can directly impact your overall health and how well your body functions.

Dr. Gena and her team are full of helpful advice when it comes to reducing the risk for spinal and joint pain, but if you are already experiencing pain, chiropractic care is the first step. Contact our office at 954-417-5815 to schedule a consultation. Remember, your health is in your hands; our hands are here to help.