Straighten up for posture awareness month

Sit up and listen.

Each year in the United States, 65 million people experience back pain. Posture-related back problems are the third leading reason for all doctors’ visits. Lower back pain is the most common disability for people under age 45, and the damage can carry into the aging years. Posture affects balance and gait, and poor posture can lead to falls.

May is Posture Awareness Month, a time to inform people about how poor posture can contribute to health problems, made worse by modern technology.

“As smartphone and tablet use increases, so does posture breakdown,” says Steven Weiniger, BodyZone founder and author of the book “Stand Taller, Live Longer: An Anti-Aging Strategy” in a company press release. “Sitting is a bent posture literally folding the torso over the pelvis. Texting locks the hands together, causing shoulders to roll inward. This combination means chronically tight back, neck and chest muscles. Plus, as we get older, gravity combines with muscle imbalances to make people feel and look older than they really are.”

PostureMonth.org, led by Weiniger, will offer free tool kits, host webinars and educate on the clinical benefits of strengthening posture to improve health, longevity, pain relief and aging well.

The U.S. Occupational and Safety Administration (OSHA) also has checklists for preventing bad working postures and computer workstation education.

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.