Let's take care of it together!
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 push down
on you 24 hours a day
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
Posture effects a lot more than
just the spine
Good posture holds up the weight
of your whole body
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.
Walking and moving with confidence
Time to ask for help
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.
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.
Categories of products on Living Made Easy that might help your posture with standing and walking
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.
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