WEST CHESTER (June 1, 2023) – To highlight the importance of good posture for our health and well-being, state Senator Carolyn Comitta has introduced a resolution designating “Correct Posture Month” in Pennsylvania.
“Posture impacts a lot more than our backs. While many of us have been told to “sit up straight” as children, bad habits can take shape over the years that negatively impact our posture,” Comitta said. “By taking a few small steps to improve our posture, we can make a big impact in our overall quality of life, including improved mood, boosted confidence, and projecting strength and positivity.”
Since the pandemic, experts have seen an increase in posture issues facing the general population. As work from home increased, Dr. David Binder in The Journal for Harvard Medical School noted increased complaints of lower back pain. Additionally, “slumping” and “slouching” is now regularly observed in children, teenagers, and young adults at an alarming rate.
While posture is the result of habits formed over years, it can be corrected through regular practice of proper form.
In recognition of Correct Posture Month, Senator Comitta visited Jester Family Chiropractic in West Chester and presented the resolution to Dr. Deron Jester (BS, DC, CCWP, CPN), Dr. Jennifer Jester (BS, DC, CFMP), Dr. Greg Parsons (BC, DC), and the Jester team.
“We are so honored to have spent 20 years as part of our community, helping people achieve better health and wellness naturally. We seek to educate our patients about how posture dictates function,” said Dr. Jennifer Jester. “When we optimize our posture and structural integrity, we also optimize our function and reduce our risk of injury and early degeneration. Ideal posture allows for better breathing, less body fatigue, reduced pain response, improved sleep, proper digestion and enhanced energy. These are all things that have a major daily impact on quality of life. Our goal is to help each and every patient optimize their function through better posture and structural biomechanics, utilizing the many services we have incorporated including chiropractic, massage, yoga, and functional medicine.”
Experts note that it is important to take frequent breaks from sitting, standing, and sitting straight up with your shoulders back, and keeping your head level and in line with your body.
Kim Wolff (LMT/CYT200), Co-owner and Chief Marketing Officer of Optimal Massage in West Chester, emphasized that regular self-care and exercise can also improve posture and overall wellness.
“According to the dictionary, the definition of posture is the position in which someone holds their body when standing or sitting. In my experience working with clients as both a massage therapist and a yoga teacher, poor posture can greatly impact our health. Holding ourselves in the same posture (sitting at a desk and not using proper ergonomics) for long periods of time as well as repetitive motions like typing and texting can cause stress to our muscles, joints and spines which can cause pain and dysfunction, including headaches and low back pain,” Wolff said. “A regular regimen of self-care, including massage, yoga, stretching (preferably throughout the day), drinking enough water, using a standing desk that can be used while either sitting or standing, and using a smartwatch such as a Fitbit to increase movement/steps are all great lifestyle habits that can be utilized to improve posture and decrease the stress, tension and pain that poor posture and repetitive motion can cause.”