Your Posture Matters

Your Posture Matters

Let's take care of it together!

Your Posture Matters - Let's take care of it together!
Your Posture Matters - Let's take care of it together! #YourPostureMatters

What is posture?

Your posture is your position when you are lying, sitting, standing or moving over every 24 hour period. If you lie, sit and stand well, and move your body often, you will be taking care of your posture. This can:

  • Help avoid muscle and postural changes
  • Help avoid acute or chronic pain
  • Help your internal body systems function as best as they can
  • Your posture throughout the day and night will impact on the shape of your body

#YourPostureMatters

Little Tip: It's never too late to make a difference!

Posture Fast Facts

4.7kg of gravity forces pushes down on you 24 hours a day
4.7kg of gravity forces pushes down on you 24 hours a day
5 is the number of directions your spine moves in
5 is the number of directions your spine moves in
600 muscles are inside your body helping you to move
600 muscles are inside your body helping you to move

 

S is the shape your spine takes naturally
S is the shape your spine takes naturally

 

Posture effects a lot more than just the spine
Posture effects a lot more than just the spine

 

Good posture holds up the weight of your whole body
Good posture holds up the weight of your whole body

Why posture matters 24 hours a day

Understanding the impact of posture to the shape of your body is very important whatever your age.

Everyday activity such as using your mobile phone, sitting at your computer or watching TV can create a posture that effects your body’s natural alignment. This causes physical stress to the body which can cause pain, discomfort and even deformity of your spine

It’s particularly important to be aware of someone’s posture if they can’t adjust their position independently. Changes in body shape can affect someone’s physical and mental wellbeing including their ability to eat, drink and breath well. 

Little Tip - don’t stay in the same position for too long.

Why your posture might change
Why your posture might change
Why posture matters 24 hours a day
Why posture matters 24 hours a day

Why your posture might change

Posture changes can make it difficult to manage without help and support. 

Here are some reasons why your posture might change: 

  • Adopting poor habitual positions
  • Becoming older
  • An injury, disease or condition which affects the way your brain works
  • Conditions of the bones or muscles that can develop as we get older
  • Born with a health condition or disability.

You or someone you care for could be at risk of developing unwanted postural changes. However, it’s never too late to start doing something about it.

Little Tip - why not look at your posture and positions over a day and night?

 

Reducing the risk of postural change

You can reduce the risk of unwanted postural changes if you aim for a variety of symmetrical and well supported positions throughout the day and night.

You want to be as upright as you can sitting, as tall as you can standing and as stretched out as you can lying down. Wherever you are, make sure that you are comfortable and supported.

Did you know you spend 2,500 hours lying in bed each year? This is a great time to lie well and be comfortable. You will benefit throughout the day from a better sleep.

Little Tip - are there any positions you think you need to change?

 

Sitting

Size matters—aim for a well-fitting and supportive chair or wheelchair to help you participate in activities.

Things to check:

  • Is you head supported
  • Is your body in contact with the back rest?
  • Do you need lateral chest supports, to help you sit upright?
  • Are your feet supported with suitable foot rests?
  • Are your arms supported with appropriate arms rests at a the correct height?
  • Are your thighs supported?

Little Tip - if you are having difficulty with sitting upright, you can ask for a healthcare assessment. 

Sitting checklist
Sitting checklist
2,500 hours lying in bed each year
2,500 hours lying in bed each year

Categories of products on Living Made Easy that might help your posture with sitting

Lying

Rest and play matters—how you lie overnight affects your posture during the day.

  • Is your mattress supportive?
  • Are your pillows supportive?
  • Avoid positions that leave you tuck, sore or stiff
  • Use pads/cushions/pillows to keep you stretched out, supported and comfortable
  • Change your position more often

Little Tip - if you are having difficulty lying stretched out, you can ask for a healthcare assessment.

Lying with supports
Lying with supports
Be active standing
Be active standing

Categories of products on Living Made Easy that might help your posture with lying

Standing

Stretching our muscles and loading our bones matters - stand as often as you can for as long as you can.

  • Appropriate footwear and splints can make a difference
  • Use your equipment as advised, e.g. wall rails
  • Be active in standing

Little Tip: if you are having difficulty standing up tall, you can ask for a healthcare assessment.

Categories of products on Living Made Easy that might help your posture with standing and walking

Walking & Moving

Moving about as much as you can matters - try not to sit still for extended periods. Weight bearing activities are good for improving strength, mobility and for maintaining strong bones.

  • Use a walking aid e.g. a stick
  • Ask someone to help you transfer into your walking aid if needed
  • Wear splints if you’ve been given them
  • Wear supportive and well fitted footwear
  • Never walk in socks or tights on hard floors in case you slip

Little Tip: if you are having difficulty walking, you can ask for a healthcare assessment.

Walking and moving with confidence
Walking and moving with confidence
Time to ask for help
Time to ask for help

 

Time to seek advice?

It’s important to know when to get in touch with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist who can help you take care of your posture. 

Here are some examples of what you might need help and advice with:

  • You lean to one side when sitting or lying
  • You feel your leg muscles are stiff or tight
  • You need someone to help you change your position
  • You get stuck in the same position when lying or sitting down
  • You’re always uncomfortable, sore or stiff
  • Your level of independent mobility is changing

Remember: your posture throughout the day and night will impact on the shape of your body.

 

Words and images taken from the health campaign: Your Posture Matters Campaign by NES - NHS Education for Scotland 

Download the booklet or poster.

#YourPostureMatters

We trust that you have found this spotlight on posture useful. Please do share it if you know someone who might find this information and the products helpful. Our target is to reach 5 million individuals by 2022 so please do help us to spread the word socially. You can copy and paste the link to this article in your social channel or email it to a friend you think might find it useful. Use this link: https://bit.ly/LMEYPM21

If you would like more information on any of the products highlighted, just click on the bold text or the image captions or browse through our product categories at your leisure. 

Share your thoughts with like minded people on our forum you'reable. This is our forum for disabled people, by disabled people.

You can also use AskSARA for more specific help and advice.

Call our helpline on 0300 999 0004 or email us at info@dlf.org.uk 

If you can support our work now, or in the future please consider making a donation.

AskSARA Living Made Easy DLF
AskSARA
you'reable forum
you'reable
Contact Living Made Easy DLF
Contact Us
Make a Donation to Living Made Easy DLF
Make a Donation

Support us by donating

Need to speak to us?
back to top