SITTING POSTURE THAT IS HEALTHY FOR YOUR BACK

Research shows that the prevalence rate of people suffering from back pain in the western industrial nations is up to 90%, and the prevalence rate of chronic low back pain (LBP) is 23%. This makes LBP the most common form of chronic pain internationally. (Occupational sitting behavior and its relationship with back pain). This is attributed to a poor sitting posture and an all-day sitting routine that most people do every day at an office desk, the lounge, or the park. This article is therefore aimed at discussing the right sitting posture, how to achieve the right sitting posture, and its benefits on your health.

The Right Sitting Posture For a Healthy Back and Spine

In this age of technology where computers and electronic devices have dominated and where most people prefer to work in an office seated at a desk with their eyes glued on a computer, it is difficult to maintain a right sitting posture; as most people don’t pay much attention to how they sit and the amount of time they spend seated. The angle the upper body makes to the lower body when seated has a lot of impact on your health. Sitting upright with a straight back and shoulders, can not only improve your physical health but also get to reduce the risk of getting back problems, unintended spinal injuries, and other posture related problems.

How to Achieve The Right Sitting Posture

Long hours of sitting can cause several adverse health effects, like bad posture and back pain. Therefore maintaining the right sitting posture will be of great help as it improves confidence and health.

Support your back

Office chairs are designed to support your body properly and reduce friction and stress on bones and muscles when you are seated. You can use a small pillow or roll up a towel if your office chair does not have lumbar support

Maintain rested feet

Set your feet to rest flat on the floor. You can also use a stool or a footrest to make your feet in a rested position. Removing shoes with heels may be very comfortable.

Avoid knee or ankle crossing

Crossing your knees can cause muscle strain as it reduces blood flow.

The gap between the knee back and the seat

Leave a small gap between your knee back and the chair.

Take some time from the chair

Take frequent breaks and stand up from your desk as sitting for a long time can reduce blood flow and cause muscle fatigue. Take a walk away from your desk and stretch to get your blood flowing.

Other back-related problems are brought about by poor sitting posture.

• Incontinence. An involuntary urine leakage. When slouching, the abdominal pressure increases, therefore, putting pressure on the bladder causing urine to leak because the pelvic floor has a reduced ability to hold against the pressure.
• Constipation. Difficulty to pass stool. When you hunch over with your knees over your hips, it becomes difficult to pass stool because the position somehow closes the anus therefore making it hard for the abdominal muscles to help move feces.
• Heartburn and slow digestion. Slouching after a meal can cause heartburn as a result of acid reflux. A lot of pressure is put on the abdomen, which forces stomach acid up the esophagus, therefore, triggering heartburn.

Conclusion

Your posture and the movement your body makes involve the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that help support posture. Some factors in lifestyle that are not directly related to posture are crucial for postural health and are a great deal at affecting your confidence positively. Therefore lifestyle changes such as various exercise activities and breaking to make movements every day can do you a great amount of good.