Chiropractic

Monthly Guest Blogger: Dr. Mario Ferraro

As you sit here and read our latest health and wellbeing post I want you to consider your posture. Just for a moment, think about whether you’re sitting upright, shoulders back, chest out as well as having your neck in the proper alignment. Did you pass or fail? If you failed, you can be assured that you’re not alone. Everyday in Chiropractic clinics all over the world people are visiting practitioners to attend to their poor posture. From hunching and crouching over a phone or tablet computer to rounding your shoulders in front of your laptop there are a variety of reasons why you may need to work on your posture.

From back braces, core supports and postural exercise advice there is a plethora of suggestions available out in the market place. It can mean making an informed decision is difficult. So what is the best way to go about correcting your poor posture? Firstly, my advice would be to consult with a musculoskeletal practitioner such as a Chiropractor who can perform a thorough clinical examination. This examination will provide both you and your therapist with appropriate information regarding your structural problem and whether management is in fact indicated. While many people think visiting a Chiropractor is purely about getting your spine “cracked” we can provide you with valuable home postural exercise advice as well as general lifestyle information to assist your hands on treatment.

One Simple Posture Exercise Remedy

While this exercise may not be indicated for everyone, I wanted to discuss one simple posture exercise remedy that may offer you pain relief and improve your general function. This exercise is a quick 30 second remedy for people with rounded and hunched over posture. If you’re someone who experiences neck pain, headaches, muscle tightness, shoulder discomfort, rounded thoracic posture or chest muscle tightness then this is the exercise for you to attempt.

“The Back Bend For Great Posture”

  • Lie flat on your stomach on an even surface
  • Firstly, gently draw your belly button towards your spine (this procedure activates the key core stabilizing muscles)
  • Keep your head and arms by your side with your palms facing the ceiling
  • Begin by slowly extending your neck and back and then followed by raising your chest off the floor
  • Hold this position for a count of 3 seconds and return to the starting position

For additional postural exercise information or more handy tips from our guest blogger Dr. Mario Ferraro please click here.

james