Why You Should Sit Up Straight
So many people today work in sedentary jobs that require them to sit for most of the workday. However, whether sitting at a desk, a football game, or in front of a television set, good posture is imperative to your spinal health. And poor postural habits are a leading contributor to back pain.
Checking Your Posture
Let’s take a look at how you’re sitting right at this moment.
- Are your feet flat on the floor, with your knees at a 90-degree angle?
- Are your buttocks, back and shoulders up against the backrest of your chair?
- Does the chair you’re sitting in provide enough lumbar support? Does the backrest fit into the natural curve of your spine?
- Are your shoulders relaxed and even, not hunched in a forward position?
- Is your body weight equally distributed across both hips?
- Are your knees level with or slightly higher than your hips?
If you answered “No” to any of these questions, you are probably exerting undue stress on your spine; this will eventually cause back pain.
Change How You Sit
Keep in mind that it is not a good idea to sit in the same position for more than 40 minutes. Take the time to stand up and stretch your back and legs or take a short walk periodically.
If you’re already finding that back pain is creeping into your life, give us a call.