The importance of good posture cannot be overstated. Posture is related to your health, your appearance and can even be linked to your success. But having a healthy posture is not as common as you might think and many activities, such as sitting, lifting, sleeping and standing, can all affect our posture.
How we sit is a major contributor to poor posture. Many people have jobs that involve slouching at a desk for many hours a day.
If you aren’t sitting while at work, you are likely sitting in your car travelling to and from work or when you get home and are relaxing from a long day.
More recently, technology has had an impact on our posture as well. People commonly roll their shoulders forward and bend their neck while texting, browsing social media or reading an e-book.
Poor posture can affect the shape of the spinal cord, leading to back pain, and with time, other serious complications. Massage therapy is beneficial in reviving good posture habits.
RELAXING MUSCLES
People often experience pain in their lower back, neck and shoulders as a result of a slouched posture. Massaging helps to stretch these sore muscles out so they do not feel overworked. Massages also help to push toxins out of the muscles, where they are carried away in the bloodstream to be disposed of as waste. With fewer toxins, like lactic acid, your muscles will begin to feel much healthier and you will notice less pain.
DEEPER BREATHING
Bad posture affects your breathing. If you're not convinced, try this: Sit on a chair and bend over, letting your hands rest on the floor. Do you find breathing easy? Probably not. Poor posture limits the movement of the lungs and diaphragm, thus stifling breathing. A massage can help ease the upper body muscles, improving your posture and clearing out any breathing obstructions.
REDUCES ARTHRITIS RISK
With regular massage therapy, the danger of getting arthritis is also reduced. A common form of arthritis — osteoarthritis — occurs when the cartilage present between two bones in a joiant wears away, causing the bones to rub against each other. The result is intense pain and swelling around these joints. Research has shown that poor posture is one of the causes of osteoarthritis. Massage therapy often involves stimulating the muscles and joints to increase circulation in the treated area. Better circulation around your joints helps to keep the cartilage healthy.
Anneka Greenway is the spa manager at the Spa at Seafire at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa.
This article appears in the April 2022 print edition of Camana Bay Times.
