10 Postural Things (you can see) That You Should Be Able To Improve
When you have these things they perpetuate a vicious cycle therefore making them worse, even if they are a set abnormality from birth or injury there will be a degree of improvement that is possible from the aquired changes that have taken place.
Do not attempt to hold your posture, it should happen with the natural balance and tension of the muscles. Holding patterns add new issues and can normally be seen in abdominal, back and buttock dimples after a time.
Here are 10 things head to toe with just a brief note on one aspect of dysfunction:
1. Forward jutting head - Adding changes to the cervical spine and neck muscles.
2. Shoulders uneven height - Causing or caused by asymmetry throughout the body
3. Hands excessively to the front of the pelvis - Pulling the upper body forwards
4. Rounded upper back - Weakening the upper back and breathing muscles
5. Belly pooch - Losing tension in the stabilising muscles that support the low back
6. Flat back - Changing the shock absorption and disc health of the low back
7. Excessive curve in the lower back - 6. and changing the health of the spine to pelvis joints
8. Knees knocking/bowing - Wear and injury to knees plus foot, hip and low back issues
9. Flattening/falling arches - Wearing the joints of the feet plus changing knee, hip and back function
10. Big toe diverting towards 2nd toe - Showing mechanical issues with proper foot function and more.
These normally come in noticeable sets but not always.
Where do you start?
If you have anything that is more exaggerated say in the feet or shoulder you still start by addressing the function at the pelvis as issues commonly ascend or descend from here, then you move up, the spine, shoulders, knees and feet will follow to a point. This is the Biomechanics Coaching approach and is a fundamental change in the usual methods applied by many therapists from various professions.
Commonly therapists and trainers will address the site of issue without treating the person as a whole. In doing this the root cause is often missed and any other changes that have taken place are not addressed. We are an integrate system and should be treated as such.
So if you're going to want to improve posture in the upper body you will want to know more about the foundations of the upper body first, fix your pelvis and move on up then down finally to the knees and feet.
After that strengthen your body with 'core' exercises to the point where you are strong enough to cope with the task your life throws at you then train your body to be able to complete the tasks your life throws at you and then you'll truly have great posture.
Cool huh.
Keep in touch with my YouTube channel at 'Smile Fitness Exeter' for some cool tests and simple exercises that you can do about the body.
