Between desk jobs, long commutes, constant doom scrolling, about 80% of society is a victim of having poor posture. Bad posture not only is an aesthetic issue, but can lead to several health concerns in the long-term. February is American Heart Month, so we’re going to dive into just why your posture needs to change for the better to support your future health and wellness.  

Posture Matters

1 in 4 Americans complain daily about neck and shoulder tension, lower back pain, fatigue, and headaches. Sitting with poor posture throughout the day can cause more than discomfort. It can cause long-term health issues.  During the day-to-day, symptoms of having poor posture can look like the following:

• Neck and shoulder tension
• Lower back pain
• Headaches
• Fatigue

When your spine is misaligned for long periods of time, it can add extra areas of pressure to your body as well as how it functions. A rounded back leaves less space for the lungs to expand, impacting breath capacity. Blood circulation can decrease due to arms, legs, or even your neck sitting in a pinched position for too long. Sluggish digestion can occur from  extra pressure being placed on the abdomen, which also increases the chances for heart burn as well.

Sitting slumped or bending with your back may be comfortable in the moment, but how you hold yourself and move throughout the day should be in a way that supports long term health.

Connection to Your Heart Health

As previously mentioned, sitting in a slouched position for a long duration of time can add extra pressure to your respiratory system and impact the lungs’ ability to expand properly. Oxygen intake can decrease which can cause an over-performance from the heart to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.

While it may be comfortable to sit like a shrimp in the moment, over time, this reduced circulation and increased strain on the cardiovascular system can contribute to many heart-related issues that won’t be fun to manage in the long-run. Poor circulation and restricted blood flow can cause varicose veins, chronic inflammation, and higher cortisol levels that leave you feeling stressed longer and more often.

#AmericanHeartMonth is a great reminder for us all to remember all of the benefits of supporting heart health, and how simple every day actions can impact our health in big ways.

Tips for Good Posture Throughout the Day

Small changes make the biggest difference.

“Posture is not only about how well you sit, but how well you move and go about your daily life.”

• George Salem, NIH Researcher at University of Southern California

Most people alternate between static and dynamic postures throughout the day due to daily routines. But whether someone is sedentary in an office environment, or on their feet in a busy restaurant, the way the spine is aligned throughout the day makes a difference.

Dynamic Posture Tips:

Staying mobile and changing positions frequently keeps someone at an advantage to getting on the right track for improved posture. Some of our key tips we’d recommend for someone looking to improve their posture includes:

• Keeping your head level / chin parallel to the floor
• Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, weight distributed evenly
• Avoid locking knees and keeping them soft to prevent strain
• Relaxing your arms, letting them hang naturally at your sides
• Lifting smart: squatting with legs while keeping the back straight

Static Posture Tips:

For someone with a more sedentary lifestyle, such as being an office-worker, finding opportunities to move around can be difficult. These are tips we’d recommend for keeping muscles relaxed and airways open:

• Sit with your feet flat on the floor and back supported

• Keep your shoulders relaxed, not hunched
• Position screens at eye level to avoid forward head posture
• Stretch your chest, neck, and hips regularly via a 5 min break every hour

How Massage Supports Posture and Heart Health

Our massage services can provide relief for those suffering from a poor posture.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the primary reason people receive a massage is for health and wellness benefits around pain management, injury rehabilitation, or overall cortisol and wellness treatments.

Let the friendly and knowledgeable staff at your local MassageLuXe Spa help you pick which of our massage services would be best for your body’s needs. Our licensed massage therapists and estheticians are ready to address your concerns and help you find relief via an assortment of massage types. See what services are available at the MassageLuXe near you.

Sit Smarter, Feel Better

When it comes to long-term health, many of us think about diet and exercise but forget about the day-to-day habits that add up overtime. Improving posture, moving the body regularly, and supporting muscle health through massage can all play a meaningful role in protecting your heart, known for being the most vital organ in a person’s lifetime. This #AmericanHeartMonth, take a moment to check in with your posture.

If you sit smarter today, you may just notice the benefits of feeling stronger, healthier, and more energized for years to come.

About MassageLuXe

Founded in 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri, MassageLuXe is a fast-growing franchise-based spa company with a mission to provide an unparalleled experience that supports and encourages health, well-being, and quality of life. MassageLuXe delivers the highest quality massage, facial, and waxing services in a comfortable, relaxing, and luxurious environment.