G’day! Your posture is one of the first things people suss out about you, and crikey, it affects heaps more than just your spine. Decent posture is linked to better breathing and can even give your confidence a fair dinkum boost. Let’s have a yarn about some proper eye-openers when it comes to how we hold ourselves.
Ideal posture doesn’t mean having a straight back
Heaps of Aussies reckon good posture means standing like a broomstick with your shoulders yanked back. Dead wrong, mate! That’s a bloody unnatural way to stand and it’ll wear you out faster than a cold beer on a hot day.
Proper posture is where your spine sits in its most comfy, strong position. Your neck curves gently backwards, the thoracic bit curves forwards a tad, and your lower back curves back again. These natural bends make a stretched-out ‘S’ shape when you cop a look at someone from the side. Much easier on the body than trying to stand like you’ve swallowed a fence post!
There are four common postural patterns other than ideal posture
For those who don’t quite nail ideal posture (and let’s be honest, that’s most of us having a crack at it), there are four common variations you’ll spot:
Kyphosis – that’s when your upper back’s got too much forward curve. You know the type, hunched over their mobile like they’re protecting it from the rain.
Lordosis – too much curve in the lower back. Plenty of people wandering around Bondi with this one.
Flat back – when those normal spinal curves have gone walkabout. Makes your spine about as flexible as a cricket bat.
Sway back – where your pelvis is shoved in front of your centre of gravity and your upper body leans back to balance things out. See this one at every pub in the country!
Each of these dodgy postures usually comes with its own special brand of stiff joints and tight muscles that can lead to a world of pain. Your physio can spot what’s what and tell you if your posture’s making your back play up. They’ll sort you out with ways to loosen things up and build some proper strength.
Regular movement is just as important as your posture
While good posture cuts down on the stress your back muscles cop, holding yourself stiff as a board isn’t flash either. Ideally, our spines should be nimble enough to move through their full range without carrying on like a pork chop.
Regular movement is the key to keeping your joints happy, spine included. If you’re stuck sitting or standing for yonks, make sure you have a bit of a stretch now and then. Your back will thank you for it.
Posture can affect your ability to breathe
Your ribs are connected to the 12 thoracic vertebrae in your spine. When this part’s bent forwards too much (that kyphosis we talked about), your ribs can’t move properly. Fair dinkum, it can stuff up your breathing if your thoracic spine’s stuck in that position.
In the worst cases, it can make you feel crook all over and contribute to a stiff neck and dodgy lower back. Not what you want when you’re trying to enjoy life!
The physios at Procure Physio can give you some top advice and exercises to help sort your posture based on your habits and what your muscles are up to. If you’re keen to improve things, book yourself in for a consultation with the physio. They’ll have you standing tall in no time!
