Your Posture

By Krista Frederic, MPT, CSC

Forever Fit Physical Therapy and Wellness

. http://www.foreverfitptw.com/

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Your Posture

Your posture reflects your level of confidence and the condition of your health to the individuals around you. Good posture demonstrates confidence, vitality, and overall well-being. As we age, our posture tends to deteriorate, resulting in drooped shoulders and a rounded back. However, it is possible to prevent bad posture (and possibly improve it) as one grows older.

A neutral spine is the foundation of good posture. It means the spine is not rounded forward or arched back too much. A sedentary lifestyle associated with too much time sitting in front of a computer in addition to certain diseases like osteoporosis can cause you to develop a rounded spine that can result in poor posture.

A healthy diet combined with regular physical activity is essential for healthy bones and normal alignment of the spine. Osteoporosis prevention requires an adequate supply of key vitamins and minerals. Calcium is an essential mineral that is best absorbed from food sources. Dairy products, green vegetables, and nuts are excellent food sources of calcium. Most healthy individuals can get adequate calcium intake from diet alone, but elderly individuals should see a physician, who might recommend a calcium supplement. Adolescents and pregnant women also need more calcium. Talk to your doctor about whether a calcium supplement would be beneficial for you.

In order to absorb calcium, the body needs Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body form a hormone that helps the body utilize the calcium from food sources. Without sufficient Vitamin D, calcium from foods is not absorbed effectively and this can result in weaker bones and poor posture. The best way to increase vitamin D product is to spend time outdoors and enjoy sunlight, or get a sunlight-inducing lamp if you spend most of your day indoors. Living in a climate controlled, indoor environment can lead to a Vitamin D deficiency in otherwise healthy individuals. Have your Vitamin D levels checked and ask your doctor about the best way to maintain proper levels of Vitamin D as you grow older.