Did your parents use to scold you for slouching or otherwise having poor
posture? What you might not know is that poor posture can impact your
health rather than just looking unappealing to mom and dad. Henry County
Hospital’s
Chris Burgel, PTA, sat down to talk with Dave Kleck, radio host for WNDH’s Healthcare
Perspectives show, to discuss the importance of proper posture. Burgel
explains how proper posture can improve overall health as it reduces back
and neck pain, aids digestion, improve muscles and joint function, boosts
mood, and improves spine health.
Burgel works in Rehabilitation Department as a physical therapist and a
former Colgate University athlete. He helps his patients overcome pain,
any physical limitations, and restore strength, stamina, and endurance.
Postural awareness is a big part of what he teaches his patients, especially
those who compensate for chronic pain by adopting poor posture habits.
What Is the Difference Between Good vs. Bad Posture?
Good posture is when the body is properly aligned while standing or sitting.
By having better posture, you keep your bones and joints in optimal alignment
and put the least strain on tension on the supportive structures such
as the muscles and ligaments. By contrast, bad posture involves putting
undue strain and tension on the body by slouching, leaning, hunching over,
or other bad habits.
“Poor posture ultimately causes us to be in poor positions, be it
sitting, standing, or otherwise,” Burgle said on the air. “A
big thing now is technology when we’re all staring at a computer
screen or looking at a phone, so we get hunched over.”
Burgel encourages his patients to examine their posture habits so they
can be corrected.
“Take inventory of yourself when you’re sitting at your desk
throughout the day or when you’re standing,” he said. “You’ll
learn good stretches, then doing the correct strengthening to maintain
that good posture. It’s very correctable, it’s just a matter
of acknowledging and taking inventory of your [habits] and addressing
it accordingly.”
Here are a few quick tips for improving posture while working on a computer:
- Use a lumbar support pillow if you sit at a desk for long hours
- Be aware of the position of your head while looking at a computer screen
- Avoid leaning forward to rest your head on your hand while using a computer.
The good news? These poor posture habits can be corrected through physical
therapy and other rehabilitation exercises at Henry County Hospital in
Napoleon, Ohio.
To learn more about improving your posture and how it can alleviate your
pain with the Henry County Hospital
Rehabilitation Physical Therapy
, contact the Henry County Hospital Rehabilitation team at
419-591-3818. We accept self-referrals or referrals from your primary care physician.