Why is Posture Important?
1. PAIN
The majority of the American population experiences joint pain, and non-contact joint pain is likely an outcome of poor posture. Clinically speaking, pain is the number one patient complaint. However, pain still lingers for a majority of people even after seeking out medical care. This is where proper postural dynamics can help alleviate pain. When more musculature is recruited to support the body, it becomes more structurally sound. Aligning your posture in an optimal position eliminates the dysfunctionally altered length tension relationships of the core and spine muscles, consequently relieving the pressure placed on your disks which leads to peripheral muscular pain. For example, a rotator cuff problem can be directly attributed to a poorly functioning TVA which causes the thoracic spine dysfunction of kyphosis (rounding of the shoulders). This, in turn, puts the glenohumeral joint in a compromised position.
2. BREATHING
All organisms on this planet rely on the presence of oxygen for survival. Adequate oxygen intake is at the foundation of good health. If we look at the body in terms of needs, often times you will see many talking about the importance of hydration and nutrition. However, analyzing how well you can live without food and water it pales in comparison of how long you can live without oxygen. Good posture naturally promotes proper breathing. Excessive lordosis and kyphosis will alter length tension relationships within your breathing muscles, which make proper and efficient breathing impossible. When an optimal posture is attained, it becomes evident that the body has built in mechanisms for breathing correctly and efficiently.
3. AESTHETICS
Having good posture is also a physically attractive asset. A body with good postural dynamics will likely have an equal proportion of musculature throughout the entire body. Symmetry has been shown to be one of the foundations of attractiveness. When learning how to activate your deep core muscles you engage a muscle called the Transverse Abdominis. This muscle acts like a corset for your abdomen, allowing it to look smaller and more toned while keeping your spine stable and in its optimal position.