Posture: How Important Is It?

Most of our adult aches and pains are the long-term effects of distortions in posture that originated in childhood. Poor posture gradually weakens tissue, making muscles and ligaments more susceptible to ripping and tearing.

Muscles and fascia determine the body's shape. Measurable tests can be performed to determine which body parts need to be stretched or strengthened.

Parents are concerned about posture, but they think it's a completely voluntary action, and just a matter of discipline: "Stand up tall! Sit up straight!" However, weaknesses and tightness can be pulling their shoulders forward or causing one hip to appear higher than another. If the posture, or body alignment, of a child or teenager is periodically examined and corrected throughout the growing years, that child will be far less likely to experience what we have come to think of as the customary aches and pains of middle and old age. The immediate benefits to the child are looking better, feeling better, and being less likely to suffer muscle injuries.

Some doctors have a standard answer to anything that is not a disease or can not be treated with drugs or surgery: "Oh, it's nothing serious. She/he will outgrow it." Posture, though, is not just a voluntary matter, and children do not usually outgrow posture problems. The soft tissues -- muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia -- tighten down into an accustomed position and hold us there, and changing alignment requires releasing and lengthening of the soft tissues. Most of the adults treated for pain associated with poor posture say, "I wish I'd done something about this when I was a child."

Parents will get braces to straighten their children's teeth, usually for cosmetic purposes. Now, what about their bodies? Proper exercise can remodel tissue which leads to better posture.

THE POSTURE RULES:

• Everything is connected.
• Bones go where muscles put them. Bones stay where muscles keep them.
• When you stand: let your head pull your body up. Let your head hold your body up. Visualize a colored helium balloon on top of your head pulling you head up. The color is your favorite color and it should remind you of the balloon whenever you see it.
• Visualize helium balloons attached to your chest muscles pulling them up.
• Listen to your body when it tells you something is wrong.
• Don't be ashamed of your body or yourself. Be proud of your body and stand tall, shoulders back and chest out. Imagine a professional model. Much of how we perceive others to be is the way they hold themselves.
• Train in front of a mirror to accept your new posture.

And most important: Have a professional evaluate your and your child’s posture before pain starts.

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