Why Posture Makes a Difference as You Age
If you or someone you love have begun experiencing some of the physical changes that often accompany the process of getting older, no doubt maintaining your mobility and independence are at the forefront of your mind. Did you know that your posture can have a tremendous impact on both how well you feel and how well you are able to move as you age?
How Posture Makes a Difference
It’s true – posture is about much more than appearance. People with better posture are healthier and more active than those with poor posture. Here are just a few ways that poor posture can have a negative impact on your health.
- It makes you tired. When you are slouching forward, whether you are sitting or standing, your muscles have to work harder than they would if your body was more erect. Naturally, this leads to fatigue.
- It can cause pain. People with poor posture frequently experience headaches, as well as neck and lower back pain. The long term effects of poor posture also include joint and ligament pain, and it increases the risk of developing degenerative osteoarthritis.
- It contributes to poor balance and falls. Few things can be so suddenly life altering as injuries sustained during a fall. Improving posture and balance can reduce the risk of this happening to you or your loved ones.
- It affects the way your body works. Believe it or not, poor posture can decrease lung capacity, interfere with nerve function, impede bowel function (leading to constipation), and even reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood.
It’s easy to see how these problems resulting from poor posture are interrelated, and any of them could have a snowball effect on your health. Poor lung capacity, circulation, or bowel function lead to pain or fatigue. Pain, fatigue, or balance issues could easily result in decreased activity and lead to loss of mobility. Thankfully, though, the effects of bad posture are not irreversible. You can prevent the downward spiral.
The good news is that it’s never too late to start experiencing the benefits of improving your posture. Your doctor or a physical therapist will be able to recommend appropriate exercises and other adjustments that can start you on the road to standing straighter and feeling healthier.
Rehabilitation in Wilmington NC is Available at Davis Community
At the Davis Community, we have a state-of-the-art rehabilitation pavilion where seniors can get the exercise they need to live healthier lifestyles and to recover from injuries or surgeries. Our rehabilitation pavilion is the centerpiece of our commitment to the outstanding health and vitality of each of our members. Contact Davis Community today at 910.686.7195 to schedule a visit or to learn more about our top-rated rehabilitation in Wilmington NC.