Body Posture and Mechanics
Kendra Allen - 5
Media Influences
Xbox 360
Xbox 360 has a healthy gaming guide to promote good posture when playing. Knowing that kids can inherit bad habits with their posture while gaming. They raise awareness of discomfort in your hands, arms, shoulders, neck, or other parts of your body when playing video games.
Chiropractor
Chiropractor advertisements promote the healing of bad posture. The businesses want you to come in so they can help explain and fix any posture issues you may suffer from. They can influence how you view you posture and how you view it in the future.
Spinal Structures
When we don't move correctly and safely, the spine is subjected to abnormal stresses that over time can lead to degeneration of spinal structures like discs and joints, injury, and unnecessary wear and tear.
Lifting
Standing work, including bending, lifting, carrying and reaching can be tough on the back - especially if proper body mechanics are not being used.
Correct Posture
Good body mechanics are based on good posture.
Interpersonal Communication
Chiropractor
If you are concerned about you body posture you can talk to a chiropractor. He/she will give you professional advice on how to correct and maintain good posture. Chiropractors are experts at analyzing posture and spinal problems. They are trained in the art of detection. A doctor of chiropractic searches for the problems that exist underneath poor posture. Analyzing spinal curvatures and alignment, the doctor searches for the problems that contribute to the postural pattern he or she observes.
Parents
You can go to your parents for body posture help. You can ask them if they have noticed any bad habits you portray around the house. They can help you maintain the good posture you want to have and can help you get additional help if needed.
Friend
Talking to a friend could be very beneficial. While this is not true in all cases, a friend may be exposed to the same body posture problems as you. A friend you help remind you to watch you posture and could even improve there own as well. Considering that most people don't have perfect posture all the time, improving your own with a friend could make it easier. Having someone there with doing doing the same thing could be just the support you need to improve or fix your body posture.
Effects of Body Posture and Mechanics
Positive Effects
- Good posture will reduce the stress on your spine and help prevent muscle fatigue and stiffness
- Proper body mechanics are vitally important for keeping your spine healthy
- Your muscles will use less energy and therefor won't get tired so easily
- The goal of body mechanics is to learn how to move to body to prevent further injury to the spine
- Good posture also communicates nonverbal body language, reflecting self-esteem and mental attitude
- You should feel energized in a good standing position because standing is an active position
- Stretching the front of the back, extending the back, and strengthening the back are 3 easy ways for an athlete to attain and maintain a neutral spine, therefore having good posture
Negative Effects
- When we don't move correctly and safely, the spine is subjected to abnormal stresses that over time can lead to degeneration of spinal structures like discs and joints, injury, and unnecessary wear and tea
- The prevalence of back pain an alarming 60% among U.S. adults, preventive measures are needed
- Poor posture is one of the main causes of neck and back injuries
- Forward head position and rounded shoulders contribute to poor posture
- Slumped sitting or standing represents faulty body mechanics, and, although it is a common mistake, it must be improved upon
- The effects of posture can be far reaching, involving respiratory, digestive, and circulatory systems as well as the musculoskeletal system
- The causes of faulty posture can be divided into two categories: positional and structure
- One of the most important factors of golf training is your posture.
Incorrect posture will directly influence your alignment which can lead to poor and inconsistent shots
Advances
Tests
A number of tests are available for postural assessment. Testing, however, should be administered at the beginning of the athletes season, in mid-season, and again at the end of the season because posture can change due to growth spurt in younger athletes, medical reasons, or injuries.
Exercise
Forward head position and rounded shoulders contribute to poor posture. Fortunately, there are a few simple exercises that can help. The chin tuck or, cervical retraction, involves sitting or standing erect while gently pulling your chin back to a comfortable position. Shoulder squeezes or, scapular retractions, can also help improve posture. This motion increases mobility in your neck and back, making it easier to stand erect. Compliance towards the exercises required to maintain or improve posture will lead to proper spine alignment. This in turn, will help decrease the intensity and frequency of painful flare-ups.
Sources
- http://www.coloradospineinstitute.com/subject.php?pn=wellness-body-mechanics
- http://www.livestrong.com/article/418597-posture-body-mechanics/
- http://www.spineuniverse.com/wellness/ergonomics/body-mechanics-101
- http://www.advancechiro.on.ca/posture_nf.htm
- Mankato Golf Fitness Magazine - http://local.golffitness-magazine.com/Improve_Your_Posture_to_Improve_Your_Game_Mankato_MN-r1327296-Mankato_MN.html
- http://coachingbest.com/the-importance-of-posture-in-sports-performance/
- Chrysalis Chiropractic - Mankato, MN