Upon meeting all potential new patients, the first thing Dr. Williams will take note of is the potential patient’s posture. Why? Psychological studies have shown that good posture exudes health, vitality, and confidence, while slouching signals insecurity, weakness, and self-doubt. Consciously or not, we tell the world a lot about our mental and emotional state by the way we stand, sit, and move. In fact, posture is one of the first three things people notice about each other (the other two are hair and eyes). Knowing the basics of good posture can make the difference between a healthy back and an aching one.

If you've ever been told by a nurse at your doctor's office that you are an inch or two shorter than you were in previous years, it is NOT because you've shrunk. It is because your spinal curves have become more exaggerated. In other words, your posture has become worse. Once you learn the keys to improving your posture, you'll find you will re-gain most, if not all, of that ''lost'' height.

When properly aligned, your body moves with ease and comfort. The muscles in the front and back of your body work together harmoniously. Poor posture also forces some muscles to work excessively hard while others don't have to work at all. They just get weaker and weaker, setting up a vicious cycle of discomfort and pain. Gradually, the muscles lose their ability to support the body correctly, and posture grows even worse.

The spine, or backbone, is the main supporting structure of the entire body. It is composed of twenty-four interlocking bones called vertebrae, which are stacked one upon the other. In between the vertebrae are disks, which are meant to provide shock absorption and cushioning. This is a delicate, finely balanced structure that can easily be injured. When posture is poor, uneven pressures are placed along the spine and the joints no longer fit together the way they are supposed to. Everyday activities can result in friction, pain, irritation and excessive wear and tear, especially in the lower, mid and upper back as well as neck.

Have you ever caught your reflection in a mirror and saw that your head is leaning to the left or to the right? Are your shoulders too rounded and your upper back is slumped forward? Your posture is the way you carry yourself. Your posture is important for the following seven (7) reasons;

Reason Number 1 – Prevent Back & Neck Pain

Poor posture is the leading cause of back and neck pain. The spine or backbone is the main supporting structure of the entire body. It is composed of twenty-four interlocking bones called vertebrae which are stacked one upon the other. Between the vertebrae are disks which are meant to provide shock absorption and cushioning. This is a delicate finely balanced structure that can easily be injured. When posture is poor, uneven pressures are placed along the spine and the joints no longer fit together the way they are supposed to. Everyday activities can result in friction, pain, irritation and excessive wear and tear especially in the lower, mid and upper back. Poor posture also forces some muscles to work excessively hard while others don’t have to work at all. They just get weaker and weaker setting up a vicious cycle of discomfort and pain. Gradually, the muscles lose their ability to support the body correctly and posture grows even worse.

Reason Number 2 – Regain Lost Height

If you’ve ever been told by a nurse at your doctor’s office that you are an inch or two shorter it is not because you’ve shrunk. It is because your spinal curves have become more exaggerated. In other words, your posture has become worse.

Reason Number 3 – Look Years Younger

A study done in Louisville, Kentucky showed how posture affects perceptions of age and beauty. Two women both five feet four, one weighing 105 pounds and the other 125 pounds were asked to put on leotards and cover their faces. Sid-view pictures were taken of each woman with normal and slumping posture, then sixty people were asked to look at the pictures and rate the women’s appearances. When the women stood up straight, viewers consistently described them as younger and more attractive. In fact, the upright 125 pound woman was rated more favorably than the slumping 105 pound woman.

Reason Number 4 – Look Ten (10) Pounds Thinner

By standing straighter, you will instantly slim your waistline by an inch or more. When the upper back slumps forward, it presses the rib cage down on the abdomen organs. The abdomen protrudes making the waistline appear larger than it really is. Every second you stand or sit with your rib cage slumping forward, you are weakening your abdominal muscles as well as your back muscles.

Reason Number 5 – Improves Athletic Performance

When you work out or play sports, poor posture increases the chance that you will injure your neck, shoulder(s), upper back, lower back, hips, knees ankles and feet. Good posture reduces injuries such as muscle strain(s) and muscle sprain(s). Good posture also helps you move more easily, gracefully and powerfully while at the same time giving your lungs more room so you can have a greater breathing capacity. Slumping posture can decrease your lung capacity by as much as thirty percent (30%).

Reason Number 6 – A Better Look And Fit To Your Wardrobe

Most people including yourself spend a lot of money on clothes. If your posture is bad, your clothes will not fit you correctly. If your head hangs too far forward from your shoulders or your upper back is slumped your mid-section becomes wider. Improve your posture and your clothes will automatically look and fit you better.

Reason Number 7 – Radiate Confidence

Psychological studies have shown that good posture exudes health, vitality and confidence while slouching posture signals insecurity, weakness and self-doubt.

Consciously or not, we tell the world a lot about our mental and emotional state by the way we stand, sit and move. In fact, posture is one of the first three (3) things people notice about you. The other two (2) are your hair and your eyes.