What is a good posture? You might ask if it is allowing your body to lie or stand in a place that has the least amount of pressure on your muscles and ligaments when you are moving or using any weight-bearing activities.

Good posture has many benefits for keeping your joints in the proper alignment so that the muscles in your body are being used properly – meaning used in the right way. It can help out with reducing pain and discomfort in your muscles and joints in the long run as well as make you appearance more appealing and confident. It can prevent back pain, muscular pain, the spine from being in an abnormal position, fatigue from muscles being in the wrong position can lead to muscles not being used efficiently that the body uses more energy than needed.

So how do you have good posture when you’re sitting down? When you are sitting, your bum should be touching the back of the chair, your lower back should have ample space between the chair and your spine while the upper back shoulders should touch the chair, and your shoulders should be in line with your ears. Your bum touching the back of the chair will help to give support to your back. You will also want to keep both of your feet flat on the ground while your knees are bent at a right angle even to the height of your hips.

If your chair does not have a back support here is a different approach you can use to have good posture. Your weight should be evenly on your hips while bending your knees at a right angle keeping your knees slightly higher or even to your hips, keep your feet flat on the floor, you can rest your elbows and arms on your desk or work area to keep your shoulders relaxed. This will help patients with back pain or to help you have a good posture. Practice daily and before you know it you will have good posture and will reap the benefits in the future.

Contact one of our physiotherapists, massage therapists or chiropractors at Revitamax Rehab & Wellness to get further help with your posture, ergonomics or if you are having aches and pain related to your muscles or joints. Our therapists are trained to determine the cause of your pain or poor posture, and find ways to help you move, stand, sit and feel better.