It has been shown that with a slumped posture, movement of the chest wall is lessened which increases the work of breathing. Attempts at merely “sitting up straight” are naturally short in duration. The question is, can better posture become habitual or automatic? Here are a few suggestions that may offer you a lift in the right direction.
Good posture is not simply an ideal positioning of body segments; it is more a direction in space. We are always moving; with every breath, there is joint movement throughout the entire spine. Therefore, good posture is dynamic. It requires not only muscle strength but muscle balance. There is an effortless quality to fine posture. This means it shouldn’t require excess physical energy to maintain it.
Our habits of body orientation are made possible in a large part by complex mechanisms of the nervous system. The 90’s have been called the “Decade of the Brain” and scientists now know that the brain is capable of rewiring itself. If you have the ability to learn new motor skills, such as typing, salsa dancing, swimming or playing tennis, then you can improve how you move and hold yourself in space. It takes structured learning. This is a process, and one may choose to seek guidance from a physical therapist.
The bottom line is that you can improve your posture or impair your ability to take in a full breath. Here is a tip to keep in mind. When sitting for prolonged periods at your computer or with a book in hand, ask yourself if the line of your vision is parallel with the floor. This brings your head and neck more line with the rest of your spine. This results in substantially less strain on the muscles in your neck. What do you have to do to your computer screen or your physical environment to get your eyes on the horizon? Remember, prevention can be an effective medicine.
If you have any questions about postural training, or other physical conditions that impair movement ability, please feel free to contact me.
Anna Kotula, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
T 805.798.1408
4/15/2005
