Many Americans have problems with posture. Poor posture affects people of all ages, whether it's as a result of working in an office all day, staring down at a smartphone, or resting on a couch. Experts in the field of medicine are concerned. "It's a frequent and serious health problem in the United States, and it can cause neck and back pain, digestive problems, and other irritating disorders. Here is a list of nine negative effects of poor posture that you shouldn't ignore.
1. Impaired lung function
When you breathe, bad posture might change the amount of air you take into your lungs. Bending or hunching forward all of the time can have a severe impact on your lung capacity and function. Your brain, heart, and other essential organs won't get enough oxygen if your lungs aren't functioning properly. Shortness of breath, impaired cognitive function, and even heart and vascular disease could develop as a result of this.
2. Back and neck pain
Excessive strain on your back is one of the most well-known negative consequences of bad posture. Slouching forward compresses the area between your shoulder blades, flattening your back muscles. You are most likely not sitting up properly if you get an ache below the neck and around your tailbone after a long day at work. Poor posture puts strain on your posterior muscles, which can lead to neck problems.
3. Digestive issues
You probably know how easy it is to droop your shoulders and neck over your abdomen and chest if you work at a desk. When you slouch, your abdominal organs, particularly your digestive tract, become compressed. This can have a severe impact on your metabolism and ability to properly process nutrients over time.
4. Spinal conditions
Since poor posture can make you bend your spine, it can start developing various conditions. For example, poor posture can distort the natural curves of your spine. As a result, your spinal discs that work as shock absorbers can deteriorate. That’s why people with poor posture often develop lumbar and/or cervical degenerative disease.
5. Poor blood circulation
You can have an increased likelihood of developing or worsening circulation problems if you sit at a desk for hours every day with bad posture. When you sit for long periods of time with poor posture, your body is deprived of the oxygen and nutrients it requires. This can result in varicose veins, which are more common in women.
6. Headaches
Bad posture can cause tight neck muscles and disrupt your spine's natural curvature, resulting in headaches. To keep your head from dropping forward, bending and looking down puts extra tension on the posterior muscles of the neck. Muscles may become strained, resulting in headaches.
7. Fatigue
Your body has to concentrate on keeping you upright when you have poor posture and this can leave you exhausted. Your neurological system encourages you to keep an upright posture that requires the least amount of muscle activity feasible. The more you stray from the center, the harder the system has to work, and the more energy you expend and demand.
8. Urinary incontinence
Stress incontinence occurs when you laugh or cough and your posture cause you to leak a little urine. Slouching puts pressure on the bladder by increasing abdominal pressure. The pelvic floor muscles' ability to resist pressure is also reduced in this position.
9. Poor sleep
Your ability to sleep at night can be harmed by poor posture. Because your muscle system can't relax properly, you may find yourself tossing and turning at night trying to find a comfortable position for your neck and back, which can result in hours of insomnia.
