Posture is one of the first impressions you can make.  Not only can you tell a person's mood by posture but you can get a good sense of a person's overall health.

     Posture is how effecient the body is at opposing the constant pressure we all face, gravity.  The better the body's posture is, the less amount of energy the body has to expend.  Poor posture will place the body into positions where it has to use extra energy to hold the body up right, which fatigues the muscles, places excessive pressure upon the joints, and results in chronic pain.

Due to our forward facing world and many of the occupations and lifestyles that people have grown accustom to, posture has an added importance in feeling good and overall health. 

     Posture changes gradually over a period of time.  The equation of posture is pressure (gravity) over time (where people spend most of the hours of the day).  Sleeping positions, occupational posture, driving posture and activities that people take part in will most often determine a person's posture.

     One of the most common postural problems is the forward head posture.  The repetitive use of computers and desk jobs, tv viewing, video games, improper sleeping positions, and even backpack or purse use have forced the body to adapt to a forward head position.  Repetitive movements in certain directions will strengthen nerve and muscle patterns to move that way more readily.  An example would be the adaptation of the body sitting at a computer with the shoulders rolling forward, right arm up at the mouse, and the head in a forward position.

     Posture degeneration is shown in 4 phases.  Notice the gradual "curling" or "bending" of the torso, the rolling forward of the shoulders and the forward position of the head.  Not only does the gradual progression result in chronic pain, but it decreases a person's overall health.  As the torso and rib cage bends forward it decreases the functional capacity of the heart and lungs.  It also compacts the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, the stomach, liver, spleen, and intestines, decreasing the function of those organs.  Therefore, poor posture can potentially result in circulation problems, breathing troubles, poor digestion, and many other detrimental problems.

So how do we improve our posture and prevent posture degeneration?  There are a few things to take into account and work on daily:

1. Stretch - Muscles can only pull.  Therefore, stretching tight muscles is the body's way of pull the muscles in the opposite direction.  We'll focus on the chest, shoulders, and neck muscles.  Try this stretch:

Neck & Arm - Find a wall to use.  - Standing with hand on wall at shoulder height, fingers pointing up.  - Turn body away from wall, preferably 180 degrees (toes facing away from wall).  - Feel the pull in the chest, shoulder, bicep, and forearm.  - Place other hand to opposite side of head and gently stretch neck, placing ear to shoulder.  - Feel the pull on the neck and arm, relax into the stretch. *Good stretch if you're sitting at a computer all day*

2. Strengthen

3. Awareness/consciousness