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Importance of Posture

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 12/21/2014 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
I've been struggling with this for years...I'll pass a mirror or any kind of reflection and go, "Ugh! That's me? - That hunched-over little old lady with her head and belly sticking out??" But it is indeed. It's just depressing. Whenever I tried to stand straighter, it was hard, and really hurt, and eventually I figured I was just stuck with this posture, to a large extent.

Almost 3 years ago, I had a ruptured disc (still do, but that's another story) and had surgery to clean some of it off the Sciatic nerve. During PT, I learned about the importance of strengthening my core muscles, for my spine's sake. For a few months, I did the exercises faithfully. Now, I'm doing well if I do the most basic ones sometime during the day blush You know, life gets in the way....

But lately, I've been much more aware of my posture. I've put 2 and 2 together and realized that it's so much easier to hold my shoulders back, chest out and head up when I tighten those core muscles (doing the pelvic tilt is also part of it.) And it feels so good, like I'm meant to be this way! I can breathe more deeply, and after a lifetime of speaking and singing shallowly, my voice is finally getting some resonance.

Of course, I can't keep it up all the time - my muscles get tired. But it is getting easier.

Anybody else have posture issues?

Debbie
Posted 12/21/2014 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
I have a slight hump in my shoulders and neck from too much predisone.
I also have slight scoliosis and tilt a little to the left.
"The bells! The bells!" ;-D
Posted 12/21/2014 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
I slump a lot. It's easier than sitting up straight. I catch myself constantly slouching and try to correct my posture but it makes my muscles tired and I start hurting.

I've been trying to work in this for months now but I haven't gotten as far as I'd like with it. It seems my "sitting up straight" muscles should be getting stronger by now but I haven't noticed a difference.
Posted 12/21/2014 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie
No posture issues, but I love the fact that you are proactively changing that and seeing good results. You should walk with your shoulders back and chest out like a proud Marine. Know why? Because you are a survivor and mean so much to all of us here. I love reading your posts and your advice helps many. So Walk that Walk lady. You deserve it. !!!

Take care and Merry Christmas!
Michael
Posted 12/21/2014 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
This is something i need to improve on in the coming year.

Always had a tendency to slouch , and an unhealthy year only added to it....

Maybe you can inspire us to improve this after the holidays : )

Lj
Posted 12/21/2014 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
I definitely have posture issues. I try to remember to sit up straight and often my body reminds me through pain that my posture is lacking. I also have several disc issues including a herniation at T2/3 that we are dealing with right now. I know that posture really affects how much pain I'm in.

I saw a new wearable device that's on the market, like the ifit and the other armbands, except it's like a magnetic pin that you wear near your collar bone that is supposed to alert you when your posture is out of alignment. It's still in early market and probably has a ways to go before it really works well, but it's a neat idea.
Posted 12/21/2014 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
It's funny you mention this! One day at church I was kind of looking around as Sunday school was being taught. I was looking how so many people almost all were slouched over in their seats. I began to pay attention to mine that day and started to sit up streighter. I have put PT off fo so long. My Dr's wanted me to learn strengthen exercise for home for my back. I know I need to learn but I keep procrasinating. When my back starts hurting it's all my fault because I am too lazy to help myself. Lol
Posted 12/21/2014 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
I used to slouch a lot and looked like a 90 year old when I saw a side view of myself. My massage therapist really encouraged me to walk with my shoulders back so I started doing that. At first it hurt but that was because I was now using muscles that I hadn't used before. Now I pretty much walk with my shoulders back and it does help a lot.

Remember, your head weighs a lot because of the bones and all of our brains. LOL. It really does, though. I now find if I'm leaning over a lot...like when I was wrapping gifts and writing Christmas cards out...my upper back and neck started really hurting. If is stand upright with good posture, this supports the weight of my head.

I have scoliosis, too, and thought I couldn't do this. I don't have the natural curve in my neck and my spine has a 15 degree curvature in it...just enough to cause problems. But now that I'm walking with better posture, my back is much better.

Sherrine
Posted 12/21/2014 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
When my therapist, asks me to sit up straight for him...lol, he said not that straight ..he said
I was over correcting past the point of comfort...ummm.. I am not sure where comfort is ?

ak angel, you should go for that therapy, they can teach you easy exercises that help trouble areas...and it does really help... I do that type of exercise usually each day...

Trying to get ready for the holidays after not being well this year.. Is a lot of exercise.. I was basically spring cleaning before decorating..
Today i made up the guest bedroom and decorated it, and baked some cookies, cleaned some windows cause we were having a pretty mild day...but have overdone all month and feeling it...

So hubby says, well the house is clean so lets host new years...thankfully he will take a list each day , so i do a list for him and a list for me.
Posted 12/21/2014 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, I know what you mean about looking in the window and seeing that old lady. My mother tried to remind me to stand up straight and it was always an effort for me.

I keep reminding myself that I can't help aging, but I can look younger if I would stand up straight and keep the tummy tucked in.

Julie, when that device comes out that will help us remember to stand and sit up straight please let us know.
I think a good zap, like a dog collar would do it for me!

Good post.
Posted 12/22/2014 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
The devise is already out, it is called the Lumo Lift. I have one, but I misplaced it during my recent move. I'm hoping to find it soon and set it up...one of my new year's resolutions. I agree that I feel so much better when I sit up straight.

Joy
Posted 12/22/2014 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
I always choose straight back chairs. It makes a difference. If you are leaning forward, either when you are sitting or standing, you are putting stress on you back and back and neck muscles. But if you are upright, your spine takes a load off your muscles.

I know I feel a lot better since I straightened myself up.

This is a good thread, Debbie! Thanks for posting it.

Sherrine
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