Posture

What is the importance of maintaining a good posture?

Most of us lack good posture. A good posture has a lot of importance as it improves your appearance, makes you look taller, enhances your self confidence and self assurance, prevents aches and pains. Bad posture is one of the main cause for back pain. The three spinal curves i.e. neck, upper back and lower back needs to be kept in balanced alignment.

Sitting affects the back more than standing. Standing demands five times more on the spine and muscles lying down. To keep the spinal curves aligned, the muscles are needed to be strong and flexible.

- Poor posture can narrow the space between vertebrae and hence increasing the risk of compressed nerves.
- Poor posture increases wear on joints and can contribute to osteoarthritis.
- Bad posture can cause your pectorals contract and shorten if you sit bent over a desk all day. The back muscles lengthens and gets weakened making it difficult to lift the chest which is important for good posture.
- Contracted chest muscles contribute to shoulder injury, sore neck, back pain and fatigue.

Poor posture includes rounded shoulders, protruding buttocks and abdomen, arched lower back, head pushed in forward position. To improve poor posture and maintain a good posture,one thing that is most important is to maintain a healthy weight. Keep in mind the following points:

- The footwear that you wear while standing or walking plays an important part for maintaining a good posture.
- You should imagine as if a wire is attached to the top of your head pulling it upwards.
- Avoid standing or walking with an extreme curve in lower back.
- Tighten the abdominal muscles and flattening your stomach and hold for few seconds.
- Stand evenly balanced on both feet.
- While sitting, sit firmly back with shoulders against chair, chest lifted and upper back straight.
- Equal weight should be put on both buttocks.
- Thighs should be horizontal while sitting.
- Feet should be flat on floor while sitting.
- While working at desk, do not loo directly down at your work.
- While driving, seat should be positioned so that the wheel could be reached easily as well as brake, accelerator and clutch.
- Take a break if you are sitting for a long time.
- The mattress should be comfortable, not too hard but it should not sag. Early morning back pain is a sign of a poor posture.
- Lifting or carrying too heavy objects can cause poor posture.

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The Skeletal System – what is it and why is it important for health ? Part 6

The skeletal system acts as a framework for the body and it protects the internal organs. There are some problems associated with the skeletal system, some of which needs immediate action and some needs care and precautions.

- Fractured Vertebra
If a person is experiencing sudden pain following an injury to the back, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness, tingling or difficulty in moving limbs then these can be the symptoms of a fractured vertebrae which is diagnosed by an x-ray. Seek medical attention immediately.

- Fracture
If a person is experiencing severe pain with heavy swelling, difficulty in movement, black and blue discoloration or mishapen limbs then these can be the symptoms of a fracture and an x-ray should be done immediately. Seek medical attention immediately.

- Infected molar
If a person is experiencing an ear pain then it can be the symptom of an infected molar so you need to check it out with the dentist.

- Gout
If a person is experiencing a big toes which is twice its size and angry red and painful then it can be the symptom of gout where the uric acid is deposited in the joints of the body. A blood test and medication should be taken.

- Slipped disc
If a person is experiencing a bad back problem to an extent that it is killing you then it can be the symptom of a slipped disc which can be confirmed by an x-ray.

- Sciatica
If a person is experiencing a radiating pain along leg or foot, pins and needles and it gets worse if you are sitting for long hours, walking, running, stairs climbing or straightening the leg then these could be the symptoms of sciatica which is diagnosed by a X-ray and MRI. It often improves by physiotherapy and painkillers and by keeping a check on your sitting, sleeping and working patterns. Surgery is the last step.

- Tumor
If a person is experiencing a swelling in bone then it can be the symptom of a tumor and one should get the x-ray done.

- Spondylitis
If a person is experiencing a hurt neck then it can be the symptom for spondylitis that is the inflammation of one or more vertebrae or spondylosis which is the stiffening of a joint in the spine and it can be diagnosed by x-ray or MRI and treated by physiotherapy.

- Osteoporosis
If a person is experiencing that his or her bones break very easily even if it is a small injury then it can be the symptom of osteoporosis and you should have a bone scan done.

- Stress fracture or Muscle strain
If a person is experiencing a nagging pain which worsens over a week and it gets even worse when you exercise then it could be the symptom of a stress fracture or a muscle strain and you should get an x-ray done.

- Infection or fracture
If a person is experiencing too much pain in the joint which is combined by fever or rash then it could be the symptom of an infection or fracture and you should get an x-ray done.