It is always nice to see people who possess good body posture. We admire fashion models that stand and walk properly and gracefully. Good body posture is considered one of the most important areas in personality development.

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Often times most people define posture as the habitual or assumed alignment and balance of the body segments while standing, sitting or lying. Good posture is the relationship of body parts that allows you to function most effectively, with the least expenditure of energy and with a minimum amount of strain on muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints.

Just as strong, long muscles contribute to a healthy back, they are also important to good posture. Good posture helps you look good, and helps you work and play more efficiently.

Some common health problems associated with poor posture are as follows:

1. Forward head. The head is aligned in the front of the center of gravity, also called “poke neck”. It brings us headache, dizziness, and pain in the neck, shoulders and arms.
2. Kyphosis. The excessive curvature or flexion in the upper back, also called “hump back”. This brings us an impaired respiration as a result of sunken chest and pain in the neck, shoulders and arms.
3. Lumbar lordosis. Excessive curvature (hyperextension) in the lower back (lumbar region), with a forward pelvic tilt, commonly known as “swayback”. It brings back pain and injury, protruding abdomen, low back syndrome and painful menstruation.
4. Abdominal ptosis. Excessive protrusion of abdomen, also called “protruding abdomen”. It brings back pain and injury, lordosis, low back syndrome and painful menstruation.
5. Hyper extended knees. The knees are bending backward excessively. It will result to greater risk of knee injury and excessive pelvic tilt or lordosis.

Keep in mind the following biomechanical principles to improve you posture and avoid back problems.

1. Use the large muscles of the body when lifting. Let the strong leg muscles, not the relatively weak back muscles, do the work.
2. When lifting, keep your weight (hips) low. Squatting with the back straight and the hips tucked helps keep weight low and makes lifting safer.
3. Divide a load to make it easier to carry. For example, carrying two small suitcases, one in each hand, is easier than carrying one larger suitcase with one hand. For our children, a backpack is an efficient way to carry books. If one must carry books in your arms, carry some in each arm If you do carry your books in one arm, change arms from time to time.