1684 Lakeshore Rd. West, Unit 22
Mississauga, ON L5J 1J5
KALINA CHIROPRACTIC
helping you achieve optimal health
since 1976
Why Is Posture So Important?
Gastrointestinal Pains
Your stomach and intestines rely on movements known as peristaltic movements to push food through your intestines. Poor posture can affect peristaltic function, meaning your gastrointestinal system may not function as effectively. This is especially true if your poor posture involves leaning your head forward.
By Rachel Nall
Slouching affects more than the way you look - it can have negative effects on your health, some of which are long term. If you are concerned your posture is not as good as it could be, it's not too late to correct it and reduce potential effects. The following are but a few of the problems poor posture can lead to:
Headaches/Jaw Pains
When you lean your head forward while seated, this may make you more likely to clench your jaw. Clenching the jaw and tightening your facial muscles can lead to headaches and jaw pain. Over time, repeated jaw clenching can contribute to tension in the temporomandibular joint, wearing it down. This effect can further contribute to other health problems from poor posture, including neck and upper back pain.
Shoulder/Back Pains
If your bad posture comes in the form of slouching, keeping the shoulders and back hunched over can cause pain and muscle tension. The same can be true if you try to overcorrect your posture by pulling the shoulders backward. This can cause you to tense your muscles, creating pain and stiffness in your back. Over time, shoulder pain and bad posture can lead to conditions that leave the shoulder permanently rounded or contribute to joint degeneration in your spinal column.
Reduced Lung Function
Leaning or hunching forward too much can affect your lung capacity by as much as 30 percent, according to Dr. Rene Cailliet, former director of University of Southern California's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation . When your lungs do not perform as well, your tissues, including your heart and brain, do not receive as much oxygenated blood. This can lead to shortness of breath, clouded thinking, and heart and vascular disease.