How is Your Poor Posture Affecting Your Every Breath

How is Your Poor Posture Affecting Your Every Breath

Have you ever thinked about a clock motor? Did you know that the cogwheels are the milestones for running the band to show time accurately? The musculoskeletal system in our body work almost the same, a good posture of the musculoskeletal system means better working of bodily functions including breathing. Good posture is necessary for breath management, and leads to better vocal production during public speaking, and better resonance while singing or leading a group. In addition, the breath is more connected during exercise and movement. Simply put, poor posture, especially when seated, compresses the thoracic region and does not allow the diaphragm to open fully when breathing. It’s like when you sit down and lean over, stretching your hands toward the floor in front of your feet. Breathing is far more difficult, because the two balloons in your chest—your lungs—cannot be filled as easily with air.

As our life style changes more, we spend more time at desks in school or work. "Text neck" is the modern cervical spine disorder that is the same “forward head posture” that afflicts office workers since humans moved to sedentary jobs. Here is the first damaged cogwheel in the body, the neck. Muscles in this region are not designed to be used for the 17,000 breaths we take on average per day! They get tired, fatigued and create muscle trigger points that can generate headaches, jaw and neck pain. Excessive curving in the upper back (kyphosis) as well as exaggerated lumbar lordosis are other manifestations of this "cogwheel" dysfunction that generate trouble in establishing a good breathing pattern. Diaphragmatic breathing is difficult for most people and is not efficient in removing carbon dioxide and generating oxygen to our nervous system. . In contrast, breathing in a calm pattern activates the rest-digest and recovery part of our nervous system and makes us to lengthen our exhale and slow down the number of breaths we take a minute.

Regardless of the first hit, disturbance in this system affects our breathing pattern and health. Here are some simple solutions help to maintain your good posture and breath healthy:

• Sleep on a good bed. Too soft a mattress can be bad for your back. You want the mattress to support your spine.
• Normal weight. If you have excess weight, particularly across the abdomen, your body has to work harder to stay upright. A big belly weakens the stomach muscles, pulls the back muscles and makes them work extra hard to keep you erect. Left too long, this can result in back pain and even agonizing spasms. Leg lifts while laying on your back can help strengthen your stomach muscles and give your back a break.
• Regular exercise. This not only helps to keep the weight down, but it tones your muscles and increases your respiratory endurance.
• Keep a healthy spine. Any pain that develops here will make it very difficult to maintain the correct posture.
• Good vision. If you have problems seeing, it might cause you to hunch over in order to see more clearly. Be sure to have your eyes checked regularly.

By Narges Shakerian