Fixing bad posture can be difficult, but it can also be highly effective in solving chronic back pain. The spine has a natural, healthy position, but most people do not stand, sit or lie in ways that promote that healthy position.
The natural position of the spine is not straight and rigid. It is also not slouched, hunched or twisted. When standing the head should be in line with the hips and knees. The upper part of the spine comes forward a little bit, but not so much that it is hunched over. The shoulders should be back somewhat, but not in a way that bends the spine unnaturally. The body should be in balance so that the spine is leaning neither forward nor backward. From the side the ears, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles should be aligned. This insures that the spine is in its natural position.
Of course, maintaining this position is the hard part. As long as somebody is thinking about his posture, it isn’t too bad to keep his body in alignment. But as soon as he starts thinking of other things, the head comes forward, the shoulders drop, and one of the legs bend resulting in an hip kinked out to the side.
It takes constant reminders to keep up good posture, but developing a habit of good posture will result in healthier back muscles decreasing upper and lower back pain.
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