The majority of us do not consider posture until something begins to hurt.

Tight neck after a day in the office.

Lower back ache that is not going away.

Sore shoulders, recurring headaches, or the constant feeling of being tired.

It is so easy to blame stress, age, or excessive sitting, and we seldom stop to consider one silent factor that is responsible. Posture.

Proper posture does not imply standing upright in order to look confident. It is about the manner in which you sit, stand, walk, work, and rest. And the intriguing thing is, posture influences our lives much more than we can imagine. This includes the pain, energy, stability, and long-term health of joints.

So what is proper posture, anyway?

Proper posture puts the natural curves of the spine in good positions and the muscles that do their work with minimal strain.

When posture is correct:

• The head rests well on the shoulders.
• The shoulders are not rounded, but are relaxed.
• The spine rests with proper curves.
• Hips, knees, and ankles are in the right position.

Correct posture allows the muscles, joints, and ligaments to do their work in the manner they are supposed to do without overstraining any particular area.

An unhealthy posture, on the other hand,d can overwork certain muscles and lead to their degeneration. The result of this imbalance is pain, rigidity, and loss of movement over time.

The impact of bad posture on the body

The problems of an incorrect posture do not show up overnight. They emerge gradually with habits such as slouching at desks, bending over screens, leaning while standing, or lifting improperly.

The way in which a bad posture affects body parts is as follows:

Neck and shoulder pain

When the head is tilted slightly forward, it imposes an additional burden on the neck muscles. This eventually results in tightness, stiffness, and chronic pain.

Back pain

Slouching causes the spine to compress the normal curves and puts pressure on the discs and joints. This can be regarded as one of the major causes of lower back pain.

Reduced breathing capacity

Bad posture squeezes the chest and lungs, reducing the amount of oxygen taken. This may cause stress, shallow breathing, and even anxiety.

Joint wear and tear

Misalignment exerts unequal force on the hips, knees, and ankles. In the long run, this may speed up the degeneration of the joints and arthritis.

Balance and fall risk

Poor posture in the elderly causes changes in the centre of gravity, thereby exposing them to falls and instability.

Body posture and vitality

It is not well known by many that posture is directly related to energy.

With an improper posture, the muscles have to strain to support your body. This is unnecessarily an effort that causes faster fatigue. Poor posture decreases oxygen flow, which in turn affects alertness and stamina.

A correct posture allows:

• Better circulation.
• Efficient muscle use.
• Improved oxygen delivery.

This is the reason why individuals tend to be more active and attentive when they are seated or standing in the correct position.

The reason why posture is important as we grow older

With old age, posture becomes even more critical due to natural muscle loss, loss of flexibility, and stiffness of joints.c

Bad posture in the geriatric population causes:

• Chronic pain.
• Reduced mobility.
• Balance issues.
• Increased fall risk.
• Loss of independence.

Proper posture can maintain the movement, prevent joint injury, and keep the elderly person confident in their ability to move about and be self-sufficient.

Rehabilitation in postural correction.

Proper posture not only deals with the need to remind oneself to sit straight, but also involves strengthening weak muscles, stretching tight ones, and retraining movement patterns.

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation are essential for:

• Evaluating posture and movement patterns.
• Determining muscle imbalances.
• Improving core strength.
• Enhancing flexibility.
• Educating about everyday ergonomics.

In Sukino, the correct posture is part of the rehabilitation process of orthopaedic, neurological, geriatric, and cardiac patients, since posture affects all movements we make.

Posture in Everyday Life

Posture is not merely the question of the way you sit at a desk. It matters during:

• Walking
• Standing in queues
• Cooking
• Lifting objects
• Using phones or laptops
• Sleeping

Even minor tweaking every day can produce a significant change in the long term – changing the display height of your screen, sitting with support for the lower back, including breaks between movements, and paying attention to body positioning.

Cues your body posture requires intervention

Posture correction may be required in case you have:

• Frequent neck or back pain.
• Rounded shoulders.
• Head leaning forward.
• Disproportionate shoulder or hip height.
• Post sitting or post standing fatigue.
• Impairment with balance.

These are messages that your body needs to get better and stronger.

Avoiding bad posture has nothing to do with being perfect, but being conscious and being consistent.

Benefits of a good posture

When posture improves:

• Pain reduces.
• Breathing improves.
• Balance stabilises.
• Movement becomes easier.
• Confidence increases.

Above all, it contributes to the defense of the body against future harm and degeneration.

Stand tall, live better

Posture can be a minor issue, but the effects are felt in all the corners of your health. Through awareness of sitting, standing, moving, and seeking rehabilitation assistance where necessary, you provide your body with the support it requires to perform optimally. Life is easier when your body is in good shape. Things move more smoothly, and pain no longer holds the final word.