Have long hours hunched over the computer screen at work left you with poor posture? When we slouch, we put pressure on the spinal discs in our lower back. This pressure can trigger chronic lower back pain.

Poor posture also affects how we hold our neck and shoulders. The joints in the top of our neck and upper backs share a common nerve pathway. When compressed, this pathway can trigger pain. Without correction, poor posture can ultimately lead to a lifetime of health problems including chronic back pain.

Tacoma Chiropractic Care Supports Proper Posture

Proper posture does more than just support a healthy spine and reduce our risk for chronic back or neck pain. In fact, how we carry our body affects our knees, hips, shoulders and feet. Whole body wellness starts with a healthy spine.

Our spine is our body's foundation. When it is properly aligned, we are in good health. Without proper alignment, our body is at risk for injury, illness, fatigue and back pain. Is your posture anything but proper?

Follow these tips to start off the New Year with better posture.

#1: Build a strong core. Our core muscles form a girdle around the spine, stabilizing the spine during movement and reducing the risk for injury. Exercises like yoga, Pilates and crunches support overall wellness and help strengthen the core by increasing muscular control.

#2: Create space between the vertebrae. Our chiropractor recommends gentle stretching exercises, like this back extension exercise, to help restore proper spacing and natural curvature. To do this exercise at home, lie on the floor chest-down and your hands shoulder-width apart. Gently push your chest up, hold for 20 seconds, and lower back down. Repeat 10 times.

#3: Maintain spinal alignment. Regular chiropractic adjustments  in Tacoma maintain proper spinal alignment. Gently articulating the spine counteracts the long hours spent hunched over a computer screen or steering wheel. Use a pillow when sleeping at night to support natural spinal curvature.

Does your posture need improvement?