How can bad posture affect your health

Position your monitor straight ahead at eye level. Bang says. Poor posture while standing prompts similar problems for your neck and back. Keep your spine in a neutral position. Standing in those positions can cause low back pain. Take a short break and walk around about once every hour if you can.

Sway a bit, or step forward and backward for a while, throughout the day. Exercise regularly to improve muscle strength and tone.

Stretch your neck muscles regularly by turning your head from one side to another. Your abdominal muscles support your lower back, so make sure they are in good condition. Avoid standing on one foot for long periods of time. Cross your legs at the ankle, rather than the knee. Maintain good posture Suggestions include: Avoid sitting in soft, squashy chairs. Use lumbar rolls to support your lower back when sitting in regular chairs or driving the car.

Switch to ergonomic chairs in the office or for any activity that requires you to sit for long periods of time. Make sure your mattress is supportive enough to keep your spine straight when lying on your side. Use a pillow that supports your neck. Keep your back straight and use your thigh muscles when lifting heavy weights.

Where to get help Physiotherapist Alexander technique teacher Osteopath Chiropractor Things to remember The complications of poor posture include back pain, spinal dysfunction, joint degeneration, rounded shoulders and a potbelly. Suggestions to improve your posture include regular exercise and stretching, ergonomic furniture and paying attention to the way your body feels.

See your physiotherapist, osteopath, chiropractor or Alexander technique teacher for further information and advice. Patient information, Australian Physiotherapy Association. More information here. Postural mechanisms, Alexander Technique Education, Australia. First , we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. Expert Reviewed. From slouching over your laptop to constantly leaning to one side while waiting in line, your body positions can become subconscious habits—until one day when your shoulders, neck and back start to hurt.

And it affects your entire body. Good posture can also be achieved by maintaining good spinal alignment during activities of daily living. Good posture helps prevent neck, shoulder and back pain, makes it easier to breathe and digest your food, and helps you maintain flexibility and balance. For these reasons, some researchers say good posture is a prerequisite to a healthy life [1] Kim D, Cho M, Park Y, et al. Effect of an exercise program for posture correction on musculoskeletal pain.

Journal of Physical Therapy Science. The price you pay for poor posture habits can be significant. When pain develops, you may discover simple tasks like carrying grocery bags or driving your car suddenly become difficult. This strain can lead to neck pain and fatigue.

Slouching, especially while sitting, can negatively affect breathing, according to a small study in Biomed Research International [2] Albarrati A, Zafar H, Algadir A, et al. Biomed Research International. In observing the breathing force of 35 men, researchers found those who slouched had a lower breathing force than those who sat upright.

Effect of forward head posture on thoracic shape and respiratory function. Researchers analyzed the breathing of 15 men in two positions—a neutral-posture position and a position with the head pushed forward—and found those seated with their heads pushed forward exhibited decreased breathing. Try these tips for improving your posture while standing, sitting and lying in bed, with a focus on spinal mobility and breath work. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you. If we combine this information with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI, and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices.

You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Adult health. Products and services. Posture: Align yourself for good health Proper body alignment not only helps prevent pain and injury, but also can boost your confidence and mood.