Why educating staff in good posture techniques is so important?

So, what is good posture? Good posture is good health. Correct posture should be effortless to maintain. Good posture can also mean that your bones, muscles, joints and ligaments are properly aligned, allowing them to work as nature intended. This means that your muscles are being used properly and will feel less fatigued due to them working more efficiently. Additionally, less stress is placed on your ligaments, resulting in your body using less energy to maintain a healthy posture.

You will also find that there is an improvement in your ability to breathe properly when you maintain a healthy posture. Additionally, this can lead to a huge improvement in your concentration and thinking ability. It is well documented that our brain requires 20% of oxygen to do its job effectively. The more oxygen the brain receives, the more productive you will be. This can be due to an increase in the amount of oxygen which we inhale due to our improved posture. Good posture results in increased lung capacity and an improved image. People whose joints are strong look smarter and come across as more attractive. This results in a better body image as healthy posture helps to make you feel more self-confident. It will also help to give you a higher level of assertiveness and appeal.

Health complications are easily avoided when you have a good posture. A bad posture leads to an increase in the risk of back aches, slipped discs, pressure inside your chest, back pain and poor blood circulation. Changing a few aspects of your routine will lead to an improvement in your posture. Some examples include:

• Setting a reminder to check in on your posture.
• Having regular massages.
• Eliminating any bad habits which result in bad posture.
• Purchasing a high quality chair with a firm low back support.
• Making sure that both feet are grounded when standing or sitting.
• Avoiding the handling of heavy items.
• Using a back cushion.
• Engaging in exercises such as yoga, which will aid your flexibility.

These are all small changes which can result in a dramatic improvement in your posture. It is crucial for staff to be educated on good posture techniques as posture performed poorly has many negative repercussions. This will lead to an unproductive workforce and increased sick leave.

Bad posture can result in notable blood vessel constriction, owing to changes in the alignment of the spine. The constriction of the blood vessels around the spine can cut off the blood supply to the cells of the muscles affecting nutrient and oxygen supply. Blood vessel constriction can also increase your chances of clot formation and issues with deep vein thrombosis. Additionally, a nerve constriction can also occur. This occurs because when the spine changes in shape, the movement puts pressure on the surrounding spinal nerves. The nerves that connect to the spine come from all over the body, resulting in pain to all areas of the body, not just the neck and back.

A study conducted by San Francisco State University found that poor posture worsens depression and stress. The experiment determined that when your body is slouched and constricted, it prevents your body from working optimally which results in a bad mood. Findings also suggest that staying in a seated position for an extended period of time results in all of your internal processes slowing down, leading to a decrease in your energy level. When you are slouching, your body is compressed and constricted, which means that your heart and lungs are having to work harder to pump blood and circulate oxygen. This causes stress on your internal organs and muscles.

Surprisingly, bad posture will also lead to digestive issues. When slouched, it is not just your heart and lungs which are constricted, but also your intestines which are in an uncomfortable position. This can make digestion uncomfortable and cause a host of issues. Slouching has even been attributed to digestive issues such as acid reflux and hernias.

Back, shoulder and neck pain are the most common and noticeable effects of poor posture. Sitting in a slouched position at your desk for an extended period of time puts a great deal of stress on your upper body, especially if your body is not properly supported. It is no shock to find that both the lower back and neck are the two areas of the body which are most affected by pain due to posture. Statistics state that the lower back is targeted 63% of the time and the neck at 53% due to bad posture. A study in 1999 found that sitting at an angle of 110-130 degrees is optimal for spine comfort, however, another study in 2007 showed that leaning back at 135 degrees is ideal for preventing back strain.

More often than not, poor posture is attributed to a poorly set up workstation. Desks and monitors may be too high or low, chairs which may not provide adequate support and computer accessories may not be ergonomically designed for improved comfort. Changes required for a good posture are minimal so it’s highly advised to focus on increasing your posture in any way possible. This will lead to a healthier body which functions effectively and productively.

Recent Posts

Tags