How to Use Your Body Correctly!
Do you ever wonder why you’re in so much pain for no apparent reason? You never had a traumatic injury so why do you feel pain? This applies to anyone both young and older. The answer is that you are not using your body correctly. In this week’s blog, we will discuss how we incorrectly use our body and how we can fix it so you can use your body correctly.
How Are We Using Our Body Incorrectly?
The human body was designed to perform multiple task with ease, however, we seem to make things more difficult than they have to be. These improper body mechanics leave patients in debilitating pain which can further lead to degeneration/arthritis of the spine and even disc complications. Different ways that we use our body incorrectly include: bad posture when standing or sitting, improper lifting technique, shoveling snow or raking leaves, having poor dietary habits, lack of stretching and lack of physical activity.
How Do We Correct Our Poor Body Mechanics?
That is an easy question to answer! GO TO THE CHIROPRACTOR! But wait; there is a catch! You need to use proper body mechanics outside of the chiropractor’s office in order for the adjustment to be effective. At our office, we provide proper ways of life in addition to the adjustment to help prevent injury and keep you healthy and moving! Below, we have the same list from above that will correct your poor body mechanics and help keep you pain free!
Bad Posture When Sitting or Standing
Stand up straight, tuck your chin where your ears are slightly behind the shoulders, roll your shoulders back and tighten your abdominal muscles. When texting or typing on a computer at your desk, have the device at eye level to prevent your head from looking down and forward.
Improper Lifting Technique
First off, make sure you are not lifting more weight than you can handle. If you are, get another individual to help you. When bending down to grab the item, bend with your knees and not with your back, keep your back straight, keep your feet shoulder width apart, look straight ahead to prevent your neck from getting hurt and keep the item close to your body for better stabilization.
Shoveling Snow or Raking Leaves
Just like your lifting technique, don’t lift more weight than you can handle. Keep your back straight and bend with your knees and hips. When dumping snow, shift your entire body to the pile rather than twisting your entire body. As for raking leaves, the same thing would apply just like the shoveling technique. When lifting the garbage bag leaves, use you proper lifting technique.
Lack of Stretching
Muscles become very stiff, especially first thing in the morning when you haven’t moved all night. Having a good stretching regimen every morning and at the gym will help relax muscles and will reduce the chances of injury.
Having Poor Dietary Habits
Poor dietary habits leads to obesity which places stress particularly on the low back because the increases size of the belly results in an increase curvature of the lumbar spine due to overworking back muscles. A proper diet will not only help reduce belly fat and will help bring back a normal curvature to the low back, but with the proper nutrients and vitamins, it will help keep muscles and all other organs healthy and fully functional.
Lack of Physical Activity
Lack of physical activity not only increases your chance of obesity, but your muscles may not be as strong as they need to be, which can lead to injuries if you are doing more extraneous activity than you are used to. Working out 3-5 times a week for an hour will help keep your body moving and keep your muscles active and strong to use your body correctly.