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How to Change Your Posture

LaughingBack | Nov 4, 2009 |

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There is no right way or wrong way to stand or sit. Your posture depends on the situation that you find yourself in. Posture is in fact a postural reflex that responds to your center of gravity. For example, if you tip to one side your postural muscle will try to pull you upright. Poor posture can be the result of an accident, poor habits or structural defects such as one leg shorter than the other.

In this article, I will outline a number of ways that you can change your posture with.

1. Force of will

Your posture is largely defined by unconscious reflexes. However, it is possible to use conscious effort to make adjustments. This will require you to remember throughout the day how you should be standing and making those adjustments. You might find yourself out of posture a number of times a day but by continuing to correct your posture it will eventually become an unconscious habit. A posture corrective brace can help remind you throughout the day to keep the correct posture.

2. Exercise

The body is designed to be constantly moving. If you live a sedentary lifestyle then the muscles that hold your posture upright can begin to degenerate, especially with age. Exercise, including weight training, can increase the strength of these muscles and can help correct muscle imbalances that lead to poor posture.

3. Ergonomics

The way your desk and chair is setup at work can affect your posture. You should engage a occupational therapist to come to your workstation and work with you to get your setup right. Most importantly is the type of chair that you have and the height of the desk and computer. You may want to look into a lumbar support pillow to ensure that you maintain the right posture while you are sitting down.

4. Specific techniques

These can include Pilates, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrasis. Each has a different perspective on how to change your posture and so you'll need to choose one that fits your own personality. Make sure you choose an expert and qualified instructor. It will take some time and dedication to see results from these methods but you can see some excellent results in a matter of weeks.

5. Mattresses and Pillows

What your sleep on can affect your posture. The wrong pillows and mattresses can cause muscles cramps and tightness in your neck and back and this can affect your posture. There are a range of mattresses and pillows that are specifically designed to keep the body aligned while you sleep.