Lower Back Pain: Why is posture so important?

Lower back pain puts a huge burden on the health care system, workforce, and overall well-being of Canadians. 8/10 Canadians will experience back pain at some point in their life.

Although lower back pain usually goes away on its own within 2-6 months, if left untreated, it has an 80% chance of coming back. But do not worry; making small positive changes can decrease your chances of getting back pain. It is important to remember that posture is important.

Paying attention to your posture could save you from getting back pain in the future, there is a reason why posture is important.

Good posture contributes to increased energy, better breathing, improved circulation and allows you to move with greater confidence and grace compared to people who slouch.

Our practitioners at Complete Wellbeing can help you maintain a great posture all day.

Sedentary jobs are increasing and most of us sit at a desk all day. We are not designed to sit.

In fact, sitting puts four times more pressure on the lower back than standing and 16 times more pressure than lying down.

Such stress and strain also put pressure on our nerves, which control everything in the body.

A problem with the spine can have far-reaching effects and cause diverse symptoms such as leg or arm pain or digestive issues.

We must “move it or we lose it!”

So, what is proper posture?

When standing, make sure your head, shoulders, hips and ankles are lined-up. Your knees should be slightly bent and your feet should be hip width apart.

Bad habits that get in the way of good posture

• Carrying a heavy bag/purse on one shoulder: If you insist on wearing a single strap, make sure it is padded and make sure the strap crosses your body.
• Cradling the phone between the shoulder and ear: get a headset so that you can keep your shoulders level and neck relaxed.
• Falling asleep on the sofa with your head on the armrest: your neck and low back will get twisted sideways and the muscles around your joints may tense up or even spasm.
• High heels: they throw the spine out of alignment and can cause low back pain If you insist on wearing them, I recommend getting orthotics made from someone like me to help your biomechanics. Also, try to ensure the heel height is less than 2 inches.
• Sitting at a desk all day: the single most important thing to do is take regular breaks every 20 minutes.

For more tips on how to prevent back pain and improve your posture, visit our clinic!

We offer a variety of services from experts in health and wellness field who can help.