What Is Poor Posture? :

The posture refers to how you carry your body and an ideal example is when the muscles of the body support the spine and hold it in alignment so movements are stabilised and efficient. Poor posture is a common condition that occurs when the body is not properly supported by the core muscles and can lead to the back and shoulders becoming stooped and rounded consequently putting added pressure on the body as a whole.

Poor posture can become a vicious cycle as it usually starts with fatigue and stiffness in the joints and muscles. As this progresses, your muscles have to work harder just to hold you up causing fatigue and pain and as this cycle continues your posture can get successively worse.

Chronic poor posture can lead to changes in the muscles and ligaments causing pain, stiffness and tightness which may limit your mobility. The majority of back pain and spine related problems tend to be the result of poor posture.

Poor posture can lead to breathing problems do to the lungs having insufficient space to function correctly and in later years there is an increased risk of degenerative osteoarthritis.

Causes of Poor Posture:

Poor posture usually begins in teenage years and gets progressively worse through adulthood however a number of factors can affect the posture at any time so it important to be aware of what to look out for.

There are several causes of poor posture and habits are usually learnt in early life and then continue into the adult years. Changes in your lifestyle or the level of activity you partake in can have an effect on your posture and cause it to worsen. Accidents or injuries can also have an effect while old age has a definite influence on the posture and can lead to back pain.

Tiredness and fatigue are the usual reasons behind bad posture as tired back muscles cannot support the skeleton as intended so the posture worsens to compensate for this. Slouching both when standing or sitting is detrimental to the posture as it an cause the muscles and ligaments in the spine to roll forward, therefore it is important to straighten the back in every position.

Symptoms of Poor Posture:

• Shoulders look rounded
• From a profile angle the head sits forward
• The lower back is arched and the upper back is rounded
• The buttocks protrude
• The knees bend when walking and standing
• Back pain
• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Muscle Fatigue

Poor posture can be more obvious when standing or sitting and if you suffer from poor posture the natural shape of the back becomes distorted and becomes rounded rather than straight.

Relief and Prevention of Poor Posture:

There are many options available which will help correct poor posture such as seeing a Chiropractor or Physiotherapy however a few simple changes can have a great effect on improving the posture and reduce back pain.

It is essential that you don’t stay in the same position for too long and you correct your sitting position so the back is straight and supported when working at a desk. If you are standing or sitting for long periods take time to move round and stretch. Poor posture can cause extreme back pain; however correcting the posture can quickly put an end to this.

It is important to get enough rest and sleep as tired back muscles can lead to stooping which in turn can cause poor posture and back pain.

Yoga and Pilates are both recommended to prevent and improve the posture. Both activities are based around strengthening and building the core muscles which keep the spine straight however it is important not to push yourself too hard as this could have a detrimental effect to the spine.

Prevention is better than cure and poor posture tends to be caused by overworking the muscles in the back which can cause severe back pain. Teaching children god habits when they are young can greatly improve their posture and reduce future problems.
Correct fitting footwear can help improve the posture and prevent habits that lead to poor posture, the body weight needs to be evenly distributed and a negative heel or curved sole can help as they both encourage a natural gait and push the weight backwards helping to realign the spine and straighten the stance from head to toe.

Customer experience:

"Would never have believed the claims made about your Earth shoes, if I hadn't tried them for myself! My posture has improved 100% and also the backache I suffered is non existent when I wear them. I was so impressed I recommended them to my brother who also suffers like me. He went on to buy 3 pairs from you as he was also so impressed! I bought a pair for my mother too. You certainly haven't heard the last of me as I shall become a regular customer!"- Mrs H Emm, United Kingdom

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“The Earth sandals I bought recently from your website are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. After wearing these, I can't go back to shoes with heels! within a couple of weeks, I bought another pair of sandals and some shoes. As well as my feet feeling comfortable, the effect they have on posture and alignment of the whole body is remarkable. I would definately recommend your website to friends and family."- Kate, Angus, United Kingdom

"A Friend recommended Earth Shoes to me. They have been fabulous for my back. I certainly recommend them to anyone that even mentions shoes!" - K Mcgeever, Moray, United Kingdom

“I am delighted with my new shoes. I use them for work where I am required to stand for prolonged periods of time. The difference to my posture is great and I have much less aches & pains. I have recommended you to lots of my colleagues.” - Sarah, UK