Back pain, neck pain, and headaches are all becoming more and more of a common problem. This is especially common among those who work in office jobs. Hunching over a computer all day, looking at your phone while you are walking, and sleeping in the wrong position can create a lot of tension in your neck and shoulders. This leads to headaches and back pain. Adjustments to improve your posture while working and sleeping is a great way to start getting rid of that back pain.
You know how some mornings you wake up feeling sore? This not only makes you grumpy for the rest of the day but it can ruin your day as well. That could be due to poor sleeping posture. The ideal position for sleeping is on your side, with a pillow between your legs to keep you spine aligned. Sleeping on your stomach can put excess strain on your neck from keeping your head turned. Also, if you are a fan of pillows, try sleeping with less under your head. Propping your head up too high on pillows also puts strain on the muscles in your neck.
During the day, especially at work, the last thing you are thinking about is whether you are sitting with correct posture. However, working for long hours with poor posture can lead to fatigue (both muscular and mental). Poor posture leads to poor circulation, which means your muscles and your brain are not getting the proper amounts of nutrition and oxygen from your circulatory system. Make a conscious effort to sit at the proper height to allow you to keep your head straight. Your shoulders should be back, but relaxed. Also, keep both feet on the ground in front of you. Crossing your legs or bending your legs to put your feet under your chair can also lead to poor circulation.
Another great tip to improve posture is to stay active! Run, walk, and stretch. These little bits of activity help to keep your muscles strong and healthy, which will naturally lead to better posture.
While getting a routine massage is a great way to help alleviate back pain, maintaining proper posture is a great way to prevent it in the first place. This way, when you get a massage at Happy Head Massage, its more about relaxation than it is about the knots in your back!