Forward neck posture is very common and can be the result of working in front of a computer or reading with poor posture. Discomfort or pain can occur in the neck and the low back. To keep the spine pain-free, maintain all three spinal curves:...
Your posture affects much more than just the way your body looks. In fact, your posture, whether good or bad, can contribute to your overall health, including whether or not you will develop back pain, headaches, spinal disc damage or bone spurs....
A normal spine has three distinct front-to-back curves: the cervical curve in the neck, the thoracic curve at the upper back and the lumbar curve at the lower back. With scoliosis, the spine may have additional sideways curves, or one of the...
Some say well-being begins with your posture. Why? Because the 26 vertebrae that make up your spine support every move you make. And when you slump, your muscles and ligaments struggle to support your weight. Poor posture puts unnecessary stress...
Correct body posture minimizes pain and makes daily activities more efficient. Long hours at the computer, muscular imbalances, injuries and even a bad mattress all contribute to bad posture. Correct body posture keeps kinks out of the body's...
The relationship between poor posture and spinal injuries is indisputable. Your nagging mother was right to tell you to sit up straight and to stop slouching. Maintaining good posture can help you in your recovery from spinal injuries and can also...
Posture rules form the foundation of a healthy neck and back. These rules can help you avoid abnormal stress that may change the structure of your spine by wearing down spinal disks and joints or undesirable lengthening and shortening of ligaments...
The human spinal column has three natural curves. The cervical curve around your neck curves inward, the thoracic curve of your upper back curves outward and the lordotic curve of your lower back curves inward. When tight hip flexors and back...
The Mayo Clinic says practicing healthy posture keeps your spine steady and strong. Consistently slouching or stooping places a burden on ligaments and muscles as they strive to maintain balance. This added exertion can cause a number of problems...
Adopting proper posture is an essential part to maintaining a healthy skeletal structure as you age. According to the Mayo Clinic, good posture promotes a strong and stable spinal column and can help prevent the deterioration of the vital muscles...
Most of us neglect our posture. We know we shouldn't but slouching seems to require less effort. Sitting at a desk seems to encourage you to sit with a crooked neck and rounded back. As you sit at your computer reading, typing or playing a game,...
When back and neck pain occur together, muscle strain, posture problems or arthritis may be the culprits. These can be relieved and, in some cases, reversed through home treatment. Shooting pains, numbness or incontinence in addition to neck and...
Correct posture helps your body perform against the forces of gravity, in motion and at rest. Supportive furniture and a firm posture base, with feet on the floor or a footrest, encourages the right seated position. Sitting posture is especially...
Poor posture while using the computer for prolonged periods puts the individual at risk for a host of problems. While sitting at a computer, the tendency is to slouch in the chair with the head hanging forward, shoulders rolled forward and arms...
Your body posture can influence your overall wellness. Understanding what constitutes poor posture and how to improve it may help you make changes to how you walk, sit and stand. If you notice that you have been slouching and slumping, you can...
While the entire spine system, including the neck, possesses natural curves from the base of the skull to the sacrum -- or the tail bone -- it is not uncommon for people to progressively lose this curvature as they age. Because of this, some...
Spinal degeneration can induce pain at night or upon awakening, but this condition will persist in daylight hours as well. Individuals who experience back pain only after sleeping probably have chronic problems with their posture or sleep...
Healthy posture is based on natural positions that balance and support your skeletal system's curves and weight-bearing abilities against the force of gravity. The idea that standing straight and tall is best for your back posture is a...
The neck is considered one of the five parts of the spine. It is referred to as the cervical spine and consists of seven vertebrae, which begin at the base of the skull to the top of the thoracic spine. All of the vertebrae in the spine have...
The vertebral column is made of 33 individual weight-bearing bones called vertebrae, soft cushions between these vertebrae called discs, and ligaments that hold the structure in place. In addition, there are a multitude of muscles that attach to...
The development of the spine begins in the womb, but continues after birth. As a baby grows and develops, he will slowly develop the characteristic S-shaped spine that adults have. Diet in the womb and positioning of the baby after birth can...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year. They can be very painful and can occur in the neck, mid or low back, affecting everything you do. Understanding how your spine moves and its...
Crunches are a fundamental exercise to work your abdominal muscles. However, if you do crunches incorrectly, you may experience neck pain and discomfort. This is mostly due to pulling the neck forward. If you focus on using your abdominal muscles...
Your spine consists of 24 vertebrae connected by discs, joints and ligaments that enable you to bend and rotate in various yoga poses, or asanas. if you could get a side view of your spine, you'd see its front part as a column of vertebral bodies...
Back pain, a common complaint, often is caused by sitting or standing with poor posture, or by bending, lifting, pulling or pushing with poor body mechanics, according to the Corydon Physiotherapy Clinic. Physiotherapy is one treatment option if...
Poor posture and weak muscles can both cause back pain. Created in part for physical rehabilitative purposes, Pilates strengthens your back, decreasing your pain and chance of future injury. It also improves your posture by forcing you to better...
Many injuries in sports, exercise and activities of daily living can be traced to poor posture and body alignment. Minor imperfections in body alignment often have little effect on the overall musculoskeletal system because the body is...
Debilitating and painful, a pinched nerve in the neck causes muscle weakness, radiating arm pain and muscle spasms. Often caused by compression of ligaments, bones and muscles onto a peripheral nerve, a variety of noninvasive treatments can often...
A straight spine is not a healthy spine, nor should a spine have exaggerated curves. A healthy spine flows softly through mild lordosis and kyphosis curves, meaning forward and backward curves. A healthy cervical spine, or neck, forms a gentle...
Pinched nerves usually occur in the neck, but can lead to pain and muscle spasms throughout the upper back and arm. Learn how to treat a pinched nerve in the neck and stay fit in this sports medicine video.
Leg lifts can strengthen core muscles of the lower abs. Try these exercises and stretches for your workout routine in this fitness video.
