by KING 5 HealthLink
Posted on April 11, 2014 at 4:55 PM
Updated Tuesday, Apr 15 at 12:15 PM
Poor posture can take a serious toll on your spine, shoulders, hips and knees. Today, young people are more at risk for poor posture because of tablets, phones and video games.
Dr. Steven Weiniger offers some simple ways to help you stand taller.
Be aware: Dr. Steven Weiniger said that that making people aware of their body is the first step. He explained that good posture means head, torso and pelvis are all stacked over your feet while you stand.
BAM 3-2-1: Practice balance three times a day, alignment two times a day and motion once a day. To improve balance, lift your leg so that your thigh is parallel to the ground while touching a wall, and hold it for five breaths. For alignment, move side-to-side on a balance ball. For motion, move forward and backward on the ball.
Desk posture: Place your monitor and keyboard right in front of you to avoid twisting your torso. Also, make sure your hips are higher than your knees when sitting. Choose a chair that is adjustable or put a pillow on your seat. And remember, no slouching.
Other tips include sitting on an excersise ball during TV downtime and taking pictures of friends and family members when they are hunched over to help them see what they look like.