12 Jan Are you properly positioned?
Many of us sit in an office chair, recliner, or car all day without the proper support. Our backs and necks take the brunt of our improper positioning. Having proper body alignment, knowing how to move, sit and stand properly can help you stay active and limit the amount of kyphosis, or forward curve of the upper back. Kyphosis is a spinal disorder in which an excessive outward curve of the spine results in an abnormal rounding of the upper back. We don’t notice how much we slouch or overuse our spine until something starts to hurt. One of the most important things about body mechanics and posture is alignment. Alignment refers to how the head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees and ankles relate and line up with each other. Proper alignment of the body puts less stress on the spine and helps you have good posture.
To keep proper alignment, avoid the following positions or movements:
● Having a slumped, head-forward posture
● Bending forward from the waist
● Twisting of the spine to a point of strain
● Twisting the trunk and bending forward when doing activities such as coughing, sneezing, vacuuming or lifting
● Anything that requires you to reach far. An example is reaching up for an item on a high shelf, which also could cause you to lose your balance and fall.
When sitting in a chair, try to keep your hips and knees at the same level. Place your feet flat on the floor. Keep a comfortable posture. You should have a natural inward curve to your lower back and a tall, upright upper back. When sitting in bucket seats or soft couches or chairs, use a rolled up towel or pillow to support your lower back. When standing up from a chair, move your hips forward to the front of the chair, and use your leg muscles to lift yourself up. When driving, use the headrest. These are all great ways to correctly position your body. However, if you’ve tried everything and you still feel some discomfort while sitting, there are many body positioning pillows and cushions that could offer support. Wallace Home Medical Supplies carries a variety of cushions from gel, foam, wedge, donut and coccyx. These cushions offer a wide range of support for the spine and trunk. We also carry cushions for the neck such as cervical pillows, contoured neck pillows and horse shoe supports. If sitting isn’t the issue for you and you need support while you sleep, we also carry wedge pillows, knee spacers, blocks and wedges. There are a variety of support cushions that can help you properly position yourself. Wallace Home Medical Supplies carries Allman products. Allman is a California based company that has a great warranty on their products and excellent customer service. Please visit any of our locations and try out the perfect support for your needs.