Your posture can seriously impact how you feel. There are exercises you can do to improve your posture, reduce slouching and minimize aches and pains.

Our center of gravity falls through the body, moving through specific bony points. In normal correct posture, everything is balanced. When the body shifts and poor posture sets in, joints and ligaments take on stress and strain. Slouching, when involved in activities such as computer use, causes your head to be held forward. Your body must then compensate for the shift. As your neck moves forward, your shoulders become rounded and a compensatory sway in the back develops.

What can you do?  Raise your computer monitor high enough to look straight ahead, so your head isn’t bending downward. When sitting, keep your hips back against the chair and your pelvis straight. Your feet should be on the floor and your knees should form a 90-degree angle.

Training your body to maintain correct positioning throughout the day is the key. Exercises that strengthen back muscles and stretch chest muscles are helpful. Pulling back into correct posture will feel awkward at first, but continuously working on it will pay off as your neck and back muscles begin to align in proper position. Chances are that your achy back and neck will improve or disappear.

For more ideas on exercises to do, talk to one of our NECC Fitness Staff. Also, be sure to consult with your doctor to be sure there are no other causes for your problems.