Posted September 14, 2011 - 2:30pm by Tracy
Want a sexy back as you age? Then straighten up
When it comes to good posture, we’ve all heard that we should keep our shoulders back and our backs straight. But for many of us, those same old reminders get tiresome, and we end up returning to our slouchy ways.
Back in April, the Well Community editorial team embarked on a wellness challenge, which included trading in our desk chairs for yoga balls. Myself and several co-workers stuck with this challenge all summer. I was feeling pretty good about myself until yesterday when I read an article about good posture by Julie Deardorff of the Chicago Tribune, and found myself hunched forward over my keyboard to read the text.
Did you know that over time, slouching can stretch out, tighten and misalign the ligaments and tendons in your back and neck? Or that it can lead to a premature double chin? Or that it contributes to headaches?
And slouching isn’t the only culprit. Back pain, poor posture and a myriad of related conditions can spring from a variety of sources including weak pelvic, core or gluteal muscles, poor stretching practices, injury and simply the passing of time.
According to The Department of Health and Human Services, back pain is one of the top causes of hospital visits among adults and affects eight of every 10 people.
But there are ways to stave off back pain and posture-related health problems, and from where we stand, the more prevention information and tips out there, the better.
So with that, here are several articles on back health, exercises tips and treatment options that Well Community has posted this year:
Is stretching and exercising in the morning bad for your back?
Before you give up your sunrise salutation pose, check out what Dr. Dan Laich, a neurological surgeon at the Chicago Back Institute and yoga enthusiast, has to say on the matter.
Same old back pain? It's time for a new approach
Dr. Fred Geisler, a neurological surgeon at the Chicago Back Institute and pioneer in back surgery techniques, chimes in on why conservative treatments should be a patient’s first choice for back pain relief.
Acupuncture found to help relieve back pain
Cliff Morland, a clinical acupuncturist at Galter LifeCenter, recommends a mix of eastern and western techniques for a well-rounded approach to back pain treatments.
Pilates and back pain
Corinne Dawson, a Pilates instructor at Galter LifeCenter and Pilates Community blogger, explains how Pilates can help relieve back pain
Comments (2)
I've found that sitting in an office chair all day is seriously stressing my back and shoulders. I would be interested in hearing how well the yoga ball worked.
I had no idea that poor posture and poor sitting practices could lead to an early double chin-- that alone has spooked me into straightening up today!
Kate
September 29, 2011 - 11:58amSince sitting on the yoga ball (for close to 6 months now), I find that I am better about keeping my shoulders back and am sitting up straighter in general, but I still do catch myself leaning forward over my keyboard, using my elbow on my desk to stablize me on the ball. So, one take away for me has been that the ball is only useful if you make a concerted effort to keep your feet on flat on the ground in front of you and your elbows and forearms off your desk. I've also found that keeping your feet together forces you to engage your core, and a wide stance make it easier to "cheat".
Overall, I'd call the challenge a success so far, but I think the option to switch to a "standing-desk" configuration would go a long way.
October 3, 2011 - 12:45pm