Did you know that more than 1.5 billion people from all over the world are chronic pain sufferers?
In the U.S. alone, there are more than 100 million who live in constant pain. In Australia, one in every five individuals suffers from chronic pain.
Surprising, right?
What’s even more shocking though is that many of these cases resulted from bad posture! That means your folks’ advice of sitting up straight (or to stop slouching) was for your own good all along.
But how exactly does poor posture bring you pain and suffering? In this post, we’ll look at seven ways it affects your health.
1. Headaches
In 2015, almost half of the world’s adult population experienced a headache at least once. But about 1.7 to 4 percent of adults had it worse. These people suffered from at least 15 days of headaches every month!
Now, headaches come in many different forms, one of which has something to do with posture. That’s what you call cervicogenic headache. It starts from the neck, going all the way up to your head.
The most common cause of such headaches is forward head posture. It’s when your head is in a more forward position than your shoulders and chest. This places greater stress and pressure on your upper neck joints and muscles.
Pro Posture Tips: Work long and hard at the computer? Then set up your screen at least 18 inches from your face. Make sure the center of the screen also sits at eye level.
Also, if you’re one of the 14.7% of people living with migranes, chiropractic therapy may help.
2. Fatigue
Feeling more tired than usual? How you sit and stand may be the culprit.
That’s right. Your posture can result in heightened fatigue.
That’s because your body has to work harder so you can stay upright. In doing so, it uses more energy while it also combats your bad posture. The more energy it consumes, the more tired you feel.
Imagine that, having your energy levels go down while you may only be sitting! So, as early as now, make it a habit to correct your posture. Posture exercises, such as scapula squeezes, are a good way to combat this issue.
The best thing is, you can do these exercises while your typing away on your computer. While seated, squeeze your shoulder blades backward and forward. These “squeezes” can help prevent you from going back to a slouched position.
3. Sleep Problems
Poor posture can result in so much pain that it can already affect your sleeping habits. It can even lead to changes in your spinal alignment. Either way, it can make sleeping (and staying asleep) more difficult.
For starters, the pain and misalignment can cause uncomfortable sleeping positions. These can already make it harder for you to fall asleep. Even if you do fall asleep, the pain can wake you up.
Don’t wait until you start experiencing sleepless nights because of improper posture. At the office, ergonomic chairs and desks can help fight posture problems. You can get more info here on how you can turn your office into a more ergonomic workplace.
You should also check out this list of old-age remedies for sleep. These, plus improved posture, can help you get more relaxing ZZZs at night.
4. Lower Body Pain
In the U.S. alone, as many as 31 million people suffer from low back pain at one point in their lives. Around the world though, it’s the leading cause of disability.
If you think poor posture has something to do with this, you’re right.
But what you most likely didn’t know is that posture problems can also cause hip and knee pain. Indeed, it’s hard to imagine how the simple act of sitting can lead to pain in these lower body areas. It’s true though, and a study even found that correcting posture can reduce hip pain.
That’s because the lower parts of your body are as connected to your spine and posture as the rest of your body. Poor posture can change your spinal alignment, which can lead to muscle imbalances. This then results in more strain on your hips and knees than necessary.
One way you can prevent these problems is to use a footrest. These ergonomic accessories help boost circulation. Plus, they let you put your feet up, which brings relief to your already sore feet.
Furthermore, they place your legs in a better position. This then leads to an improvement in your entire posture.
5. Painful Pelvic
Whenever you pee, do you feel that you haven’t emptied your bladder? If so, then your poor posture may be causing it.
According to researchers, poor posture can also lead to pelvic floor dysfunction. It’s a condition that can make you develop urinary retention. If you do, you’ll have a hard time achieving complete bladder and bowel movements.
In fact, it can even cause pain during intercourse as well as constipation!
Why risk all these if simple improvements to your posture can prevent them? Frequent stretching throughout the day can help. Even the simple act of standing and walking around can protect you from pelvic pain.
6. Acid Reflux
As many as 20% of the U.S. population suffers from gastroesophageal reflux disease. That’s acid reflux (or GERD) in layman’s terms. It’s so common, but what’s less-known is that poor posture can also contribute to its development.
That’s because bad posturing makes digestion more difficult for your body. Think about it. If you slouch, you feel a pressure in your abdomen, don’t you?
That results from your slouched position compressing your abdominal organs. Aside from difficulties in digesting food, this can also lower your metabolism rate. If the thought of acid reflux doesn’t scare you, then weight gain most likely will.
7. Mental and Emotional Stress
As if physical pain isn’t enough, your posture can also cause mental and emotional anguish.
One study has found that a slumped posture can make people feel afraid, nervous, and even hostile. Some of the study’s participants also exhibited sleepiness, passiveness, and sluggishness.
Those are all negative emotions you’d rather not feel. So, the next time you’re about to go in a slump (sorry), keep your back straight. Better yet, don’t maintain the same position for more than 20 minutes.
Kick Your Bad Posture Habits Now for a Healthier, Happier You
These are only some of the negative effects of bad posture. They should be enough though to make you sit straighter, in an ergonomic chair. Besides, you don’t want to sport unpleasant-looking rounded shoulders, do you?
As such, now is the best time for you to start correcting your posture. The sooner you do, the fewer aches and pains you’ll experience. Soon enough, you’ll even see considerable improvements in your mood.
Still curious about how to live healthier? If so, then feel free to pay our blog’s health and wellness section a visit! We have more health tips and tricks to share with you there.
