From how it influences our digestion to affecting our cognitive abilities, poor posture impacts us in myriad surprising ways. A Wimbledon-based chiropractor dives into the extensive effects poor posture has on everything from how we stand and sit to our overall bodily functions, including breathing, and offers essential advice for correcting posture permanently.
Rate your posture on a scale from one to ten. Disregard the temporary straight back and squared shoulders you assumed upon reading this article’s headline. Reflect on your accurate posture as you do your daily tasks, whether working, unwinding, or just standing on public transport. It’s likely not as great as you'd hope.
Nowadays, many people are dealing with poor posture due to prolonged desk sitting, excessive phone use, or simply not being conscious of their stance. Niall Marshall-Manifold, a Wimbledon-based chiropractor and founder of the 4-Core Method of posture treatment and analysis, notes, “A significant amount of back, neck, and shoulder discomfort is associated, in some way, with poor posture.” He highlights that the situation worsened during the pandemic as people spent more time seated and less mobile, with many still grappling with suboptimal home office setups.
Unless you're suffering from chronic pain in these areas, it might be tempting to sideline posture concerns. However, poor posture does more than cause a slight slouch—it reverberates throughout the body. Niall Marshall-Manifold elaborates on how poor posture can detrimentally affect our health and shares strategies to manage it.
Brain
Poor posture can affect the brain due to its connection with the spinal cord. “When your spine is properly aligned, it optimises the function of nerves and blood vessels,” explains Marshall-Manifold. But poor posture, like frequent slouching, can add pressure to these systems, affecting blood and oxygen flow to the brain and impacting memory and concentration. Additionally, posture can influence emotions. A study found that posture affects feelings, with slumped participants feeling more fearful and those sitting upright feeling more energetic and powerful.
Musculoskeletal System
Marshall-Manifold points out that poor posture can lead to muscular imbalances. Tight, overactive muscles and weak, lengthened ones fail to function efficiently, causing further imbalances and potential pain, like headaches from a forward-thrusting chin, common among office workers.
Lungs and Diaphragm
Poor posture also impacts breathing by compressing the chest and diaphragm, making deep breaths difficult and promoting shallow breathing, which can perpetuate stress responses.
Digestive System
The compression extends to the digestive system, slowing digestion and increasing the risk of heartburn and indigestion due to the stress response diverting resources from digestion.
Pelvic Health
Increased intra-abdominal pressure from poor posture can affect pelvic health, contributing to issues like incontinence.
Addressing Poor Posture
Addressing poor posture involves awareness and effort. Marshall-Manifold suggests identifying posture problems, varying workouts to strengthen relevant muscles, and incorporating regular movement to prevent muscles from adapting to poor posture.
Strengthening your posture not only addresses current discomfort but also prevents future health issues. Embrace these steps to improve your posture and overall health, ensuring a balanced and pain-free body. If you are already in discomfort, it is typically better to source a posture-correct care plan with a statuette-regulated professional. If you are in or near Wimbledon, London, the Wimbledon Chiropractic & Sports Injury Clinic can be reached on 02085403389. Choose the chiropractic department option.
