Breathing and Posture

Sitting up straight could be your most effective way to manage your health. Shocking, but true! Having an improved posture can help to not only alleviate stiffness in your neck and back, but it can also play a vital role in your mood, stress level, your breathing. In fact, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that patients with poor posture, characterized by slumped shoulders and a tendency to lean forward while sitting, had 30% lower lung capacity.

Proper Posture is Important for Breathing

When you sit naturally, your organs are compressed into a smaller space. And, the organ that becomes the most compressed is your lungs. This is how proper body posture is important as it affects your breathing. Your lungs are designed to be flexible and continually expand and contract. However, with poor posture, the space that is available for them to expand as you inhale is severely restricted. This results in lower lung volume, meaning you draw in less air with each breath. When you slouch, you also decrease the movement of your diaphragm. The thick muscle at the base of your lungs. This is responsible for regulating how your pleural cavity contracts and expands.

Your lungs will not be able to take in the maximum amount of air. They also will not be able to energize your body cells with the high levels of oxygen it needs. When your body is seemingly starved of oxygen, your body’s natural stress responses are put into overdrive. This often results in shortness of breath, which can lead to mental fog and decreased energy levels. Slouching also puts more muscular strain on your chest, neck, and shoulder muscles, and, if left untreated could lead to chronic pain.

How a Chiropractor Can Help

The exact cause of poor posture can vary, but working with an experienced chiropractor can be one of the most effective ways to pinpoint the issue and correct it without the need for medication or surgery.

At Corrective Chiropractic, our focus is on alleviating your stress areas and ensuring your body is in proper alignment to help you feel your best. We will do a thorough and pain-free spinal assessment and work with you to identify those trouble areas that may be contributing to your poor posture. With regular chiropractic adjustments, our clients are able to both improve their posture and boost their entire respiratory system functioning.

To schedule your first appointment or to explore how our expert chiropractic services make the difference in our patients’ lives, click here.