Posture for a Healthy Back: What is Good Posture
spine universe
What is good posture? Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity while standing, sitting or laying down. Good posture involves training the body to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments.
Proper posture:
1. Keeps bones and joints in the correct alignment so that muscles are being used properly.
2. Helps decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces.
3. Decreases the stress on the ligaments holding the joints of the spine together.
4. Prevents the spine from becoming fixed in abnormal positions.
5. Prevents fatigue because muscles are being used more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy.
6. Prevents backache and muscular pain.
7. Contributes to a good appearance.
Proper posture requirements:1. Good muscle flexibility
2. Normal motion in the joints
3. Strong postural muscles
4. A balance of muscles on both sides of the spine
5. Awareness of your own posture, plus awareness of proper posture which leads to conscious correction.
With much practice, the correct posture for standing, sitting, and lying down (as described below) will gradually replace your old posture.
What is the correct way to stand?1. Hold your head up straight with your chin in. Do not tilt your head forward, backward or sideways.
2. Make sure your earlobes are in line with the middle of your shoulders.
3. Stretch the top of your head toward the ceiling.
4. Keep your shoulders back, your knees straight and your back straight.
5. Tuck your stomach in. Do not tilt your pelvis forward.
6. The arches in your feet should be supported.
This information is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
Last Updated: 07/25/2005
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Back Pain Prevention- 5 Harmful Habits
Thanks to our friends at www.spineuniverse.com for the article.
Back Pain Prevention: 5 Harmful Habits
Eeric Truumees, MD
We all have bad habits some of the time. But now is a good time to fix the bad habits that can be harmful to your spine and cause back pain. Here are the top 5 bad habits that can be harmful to your spine:
#1 - Twisting when Lifting So many people make this mistake! We forget to check our body mechanics while lifting, yet too much of this type of movement can be very damaging to your back. When lifting, follow these steps:
Wrong!
• Get close to the object • Bend your knees and grasp the object firmly • Lift straight up (don't twist!) in one fluid motion • Hold the object close to your body• Move close to where you want to place the object • Bend you knees when lowering the object
Stand tall!
#2 - Bad PostureHow often to you think about your posture? If you're like most people, not often enough.
But bad posture - slouched shoulders, head down, knees locked - places an enormous amount of stress on the spine.
Good posture keeps your body in balance and helps avoid that stress. Here's what good posture looks like when standing:
• Feet slightly apart• Knees straight• Chin slightly tucked in• Shoulders back
Be sure to check and correct your posture during your everyday activities.
Soon you will find that you are actually more comfortable when your spine is in balance!
#3 - Too Little Exercise, Too Much Weight
Exercise can be fun!
A sedentary lifestyle has become all too common in our society today. Eventually our spines will pay the price. In fact, research shows that people who do not exercise regularly and are overweight are more likely to suffer from back injures and pain. To keep that from happening to you, get up and get moving! Find a way to put exercise into your daily activities. Not only will it help keep your spine healthy, it will help you to shed those unwanted pounds and feel great too!
#4 - Ignoring the Pain None of us like going to the doctor, but persistent back pain should not be ignored. If you suffer from persistent, chronic, or recurring back pain, see your doctor. In most cases there is an easy, non-surgical treatment that can return you to a pain free life. However, if left untreated or allowed to progress, back pain can lead to serious and severe disability.
Don't ignore unresolved pain.
#5 - Smoking Tobacco
Among the many harmful effects of cigarette smoking on the body, early and more severe degeneration of the back is getting more and more attention. Nicotine - in any form - blocks the transport of oxygen and important nutrients to the spine's discs. Starved of oxygen, the discs are much less able to repair themselves and tend to collapse at a much earlier age than is seen in non-smokers. This painful collapse - degenerative disc disease - can lead to chronic back pain. Moreover, should any surgery be needed, smokers have been found to have much slower healing times and a high rate of failure to heal.
Last Updated: 11/12/2007
Back Pain Prevention: 5 Harmful Habits
Eeric Truumees, MD
We all have bad habits some of the time. But now is a good time to fix the bad habits that can be harmful to your spine and cause back pain. Here are the top 5 bad habits that can be harmful to your spine:
#1 - Twisting when Lifting So many people make this mistake! We forget to check our body mechanics while lifting, yet too much of this type of movement can be very damaging to your back. When lifting, follow these steps:
Wrong!
• Get close to the object • Bend your knees and grasp the object firmly • Lift straight up (don't twist!) in one fluid motion • Hold the object close to your body• Move close to where you want to place the object • Bend you knees when lowering the object
Stand tall!
#2 - Bad PostureHow often to you think about your posture? If you're like most people, not often enough.
But bad posture - slouched shoulders, head down, knees locked - places an enormous amount of stress on the spine.
Good posture keeps your body in balance and helps avoid that stress. Here's what good posture looks like when standing:
• Feet slightly apart• Knees straight• Chin slightly tucked in• Shoulders back
Be sure to check and correct your posture during your everyday activities.
Soon you will find that you are actually more comfortable when your spine is in balance!
#3 - Too Little Exercise, Too Much Weight
Exercise can be fun!
A sedentary lifestyle has become all too common in our society today. Eventually our spines will pay the price. In fact, research shows that people who do not exercise regularly and are overweight are more likely to suffer from back injures and pain. To keep that from happening to you, get up and get moving! Find a way to put exercise into your daily activities. Not only will it help keep your spine healthy, it will help you to shed those unwanted pounds and feel great too!
#4 - Ignoring the Pain None of us like going to the doctor, but persistent back pain should not be ignored. If you suffer from persistent, chronic, or recurring back pain, see your doctor. In most cases there is an easy, non-surgical treatment that can return you to a pain free life. However, if left untreated or allowed to progress, back pain can lead to serious and severe disability.
Don't ignore unresolved pain.
#5 - Smoking Tobacco
Among the many harmful effects of cigarette smoking on the body, early and more severe degeneration of the back is getting more and more attention. Nicotine - in any form - blocks the transport of oxygen and important nutrients to the spine's discs. Starved of oxygen, the discs are much less able to repair themselves and tend to collapse at a much earlier age than is seen in non-smokers. This painful collapse - degenerative disc disease - can lead to chronic back pain. Moreover, should any surgery be needed, smokers have been found to have much slower healing times and a high rate of failure to heal.
Last Updated: 11/12/2007
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Have you taken a store tour?!?
If not, then you need to put that on the top of your to-do list!! Even for those of you who have just rushed in, grabbed a pillow and rushed back out- Schedule some time for the full tour. There really is something here for every part of your day. Plus, if you haven't tried our massage chairs yet- What are you waiting for?!?!
Our staff is always willing to give you the guided tour. When you fist come in you will get a chance to experience our Zero-Gravity recliners. These chairs are designed for comfort, and really do a great job of taking pressure off the spine and other pressure points through the back and legs Zero-Gravity is the principle by which many of our products are based: Wedges, adjustable bed bases, and even massage chairs can put you into this wonderful position.
As you move through our store you will have the opportunity to test out and try some of the following:
Massage products
Inversion Therapy (this really helps to decompress the spine and help slow disc degeneration)
Fitness Balls (really great for building a strong core)
Tempurpedic Mattresses (this really is something you HAVE to experience)
Office chairs (we carry chairs that fit everyone's needs)
Lumbar supports (everything from the basic lumbar roll, to the advanced support we custom
bend)
Backscratchers ( this is probably one of the most popular items, really.. it is!)
Visiting our store really is almost like visiting Disney- Rides, Smiles, and a Great Time!!!!
Our staff is always willing to give you the guided tour. When you fist come in you will get a chance to experience our Zero-Gravity recliners. These chairs are designed for comfort, and really do a great job of taking pressure off the spine and other pressure points through the back and legs Zero-Gravity is the principle by which many of our products are based: Wedges, adjustable bed bases, and even massage chairs can put you into this wonderful position.
As you move through our store you will have the opportunity to test out and try some of the following:
Massage products
Inversion Therapy (this really helps to decompress the spine and help slow disc degeneration)
Fitness Balls (really great for building a strong core)
Tempurpedic Mattresses (this really is something you HAVE to experience)
Office chairs (we carry chairs that fit everyone's needs)
Lumbar supports (everything from the basic lumbar roll, to the advanced support we custom
bend)
Backscratchers ( this is probably one of the most popular items, really.. it is!)
Visiting our store really is almost like visiting Disney- Rides, Smiles, and a Great Time!!!!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Welcome to our store!!!
I want to take a few moments to welcome you to the new Relax The Back VA Blog. I will be updating this blog daily, bringing you tons of information. I want you to visit both this blog and our store frequently. We are the nation's leading retailer in back and neck care products. We want to make each and every visit to our store a memorable experience, so if you haven't come in yet... what are you waiting for?!?
Location and hours:
180 Central Park Ave
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
757-498-5919
M-S 10am - 6pm
Sun 12pm - 5pm
Our goal is to help each and every customer find products that will help alleviate back and neck pain. Our goal is also to help educate customers (and anyone that will listen) on proper back and neck health to prevent further pain from occuring. If you don't have any back pain , this information will keep you healthy and free from injury.
What you can expect from our blog:
-Meet the staff!!!
-Product information, reviews, and keep informed of new products as they hit the market
-News reports and studies
-Humor (laughter is sometimes the best medicine of all)
-Store specials-- be the first to find out about store specials!!
-Back care and fitness tips
-And much, much, more!!!!
Thanks again,
Michael A. Brazell CFT CSN MAT
Medical Laision, Relax The Back Store
Location and hours:
180 Central Park Ave
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
757-498-5919
M-S 10am - 6pm
Sun 12pm - 5pm
Our goal is to help each and every customer find products that will help alleviate back and neck pain. Our goal is also to help educate customers (and anyone that will listen) on proper back and neck health to prevent further pain from occuring. If you don't have any back pain , this information will keep you healthy and free from injury.
What you can expect from our blog:
-Meet the staff!!!
-Product information, reviews, and keep informed of new products as they hit the market
-News reports and studies
-Humor (laughter is sometimes the best medicine of all)
-Store specials-- be the first to find out about store specials!!
-Back care and fitness tips
-And much, much, more!!!!
Thanks again,
Michael A. Brazell CFT CSN MAT
Medical Laision, Relax The Back Store
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