Willis Street Physiotherapy are holding a special staff promotion for the university Easter break while students are away.
Book an appointment and receive student prices for your initial consultation!
Private Initial $57
ACC Initial $32
While you’re at it, have a read or our latest clinical 5 tip series on postural awareness at work.
We all know how hard it is not to slouch especially when we have to sit for long periods at a time. Good sitting posture allows your body to be in a position where minimal strain is placed on the supporting muscles and ligaments.
Poor posture can have several negative effects to the body including increased feeling of depression, decreased energy, decreased circulation, muscular strains, back ache and headaches.
Postural awareness involves knowing your own posture, learning what good sitting posture is and being able to actively maintain and consciously correct this while you sit.
Here are five easy tips to help gradually improve your posture to become a new, stronger you:
1. Keep your head upright in a position so that your ears are directly over your shoulders
2. Avoid crossing your legs so that weight is distributed evenly through both hips. Aim to have your knees hip distance apart and facing forwards. Ideally thighs are horizontal to the floor or can be slightly lower that the hips. A foot rest can be used to help keep feet flat on the floor.
3. Hold shoulder blades slightly back and down. This will help open up the chest to avoid rounding of shoulders and allows length through the neck.
4. There should be three normal curves through your spine while you are sitting. Use of a lumbar support pillow or a rolled towel can help support and maintain the correct position
5. Avoid tucking your tail bone underneath. Maintain a neutral pelvis by feeling your weight going evenly through both of your bony “sit bones” at the bottom of your pelvis, this should allow your tail bone to be lifted.
Whenever able try and take regular breaks to avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes.
You will find that you frequently lapse back into a poor postural habits, but the important thing is that you don’t stay in those positions for too long.
Set reminders and triggers throughout the day to bring your awareness back to the good postural habits and with time it will no longer be a task but it will just happen naturally!
Strengthening the postural muscles supporting your spine and core can help make this an even easier task, as well as ensuring your work station has a good ergonomic set up for this posture.
If you would like any assistance with postural strength and awareness give us a call and book an appointment 04 3848313. You can also book online at www.willisstreetphysiotherapy.co.nz
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