Aflakian Chiropractic Corporation Chiropractic - Your Path to Wellness

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“Posture” is essentially the position of the body. “Good posture” means your bones are aligned in such a way that there is minimal stress or tension. This proper alignment allows your muscles, joints, and ligaments to work smoothly. Good posture also enables your vital organs to be positioned properly so that they can function at peak efficiency. Without good posture, your overall health may be compromised. Long-term effects of poor posture can include poor digestion, labored breathing, and stressed muscles, joints, and ligaments. This can eventually lead to an inability to work efficiently or move properly.

1. The benefits of good posture are numerous:
   
2. It can prevent injuries.
   
3. It aids in breathing.
   
4. Save your energy.
   
5. Lessen your stress level and improve digestion.
   
6. It simply makes you feel confident and look better.
   

What causes poor posture?

1. Accidents, injuries, falls.
   
2. Poorly designed workspace
   
3. insufficient mattress support
   
4. Muscle imbalance
   
5. Respiratory difficulties
   
6. Emotional difficulties (e.g., low self-esteem)
   
7. Careless sitting, standing, sleeping habits.
   
8. Foot problems or improper shoes
   
9. Muscle weakness
   
10. Excess weight
    
11. Visual difficulties
    
12. Occupational stress
    

1. Exercise is good for your heart.  
2. Exercise promotes weight loss.  
3. Exercise improves sleeping patterns.  
4. Exercise has anti-aging effects.  
5. Exercise prevents osteoporosis.  
6. Exercise promotes brain health.  
7. Exercise lowers high blood pressure.  
8. Exercise reduces diabetic complications.  
9. Exercise is an excellent anti-stressor.  
10. Exercise increases immune function and reduce colds.  
11. Exercise reduces LDL cholesterol, the kind that blocks arteries.  
12. Exercise reduces the severity of asthma.  
13. Exercise promotes a healthy pregnancy.  
14. Exercise plays a role in preventing cancer.  
15. Exercise improves spinal posture.  
16. Exercise fights against impotence.  
17. Exercise helps prevent stroke.  
18. Exercise is good for mind and spirit.  
19. Exercise allows you to improve muscle strength, joint structure and joint function.  
20. Exercise improves oxygen and nutrient supply to all cells in your body.

In our practice, we consistently find the roots of the health problems for our adult patients began back in their childhood. That’s why we are delighted to help children grow up as healthy as they can be.  

1. Start the day right with a healthy and nourishing breakfast. Research shows that kids who eat good quality breakfasts have better attention and focus.  
2. Encourage water drinking rather than all the empty calories in sodas and juices.  
3. Get them up and moving. Our kids have a far more inactive lifestyle than we did at their age.  
4. Stop taking the path of least resistance: Do the right thing now so they can be healthy for the rest of their lives.  
5. Make sure their nervous systems are as healthy and functional as possible with regular chiropractic check-ups.  
6. Be a healthy role model for your kids because they copy your actions and habits.  
7. Make healthy eating and daily exercise fun in order they will desire to do it.  
8. Keep a good food balance between protein, good carbohydrates and healthy fats at every meal.  
9. No FAST food.  
10. More fruits & vegetables.

1. Make sure you are sleeping on a firm mattress.  
2. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or with your head elevated on an oversized pillow. It can cause the back to arch and places stress on the spine.  
3. The side and back are the best positions for maintaining a neutral position and a must for anyone with back or neck problems.  
4. Place a pillow between your knees for side sleeping or behind your knees for back sleeping. It helps to keep your spine in the right position and helps ease stress on the lower back.  
5. Use a pillow that allows you to keep your head aligned with the rest of your body.  

Standing: 

1. Avoid standing in one position for prolonged periods of time. Change your position as often as you can. This will help relieve stress on your spine, and increase circulation and decrease muscle fatigue.  
2. Gentle stretching exercises during a break can help ease muscle tightness.  
3. Be aware of your posture.  
4. Make sure the surface you are standing on is firm and level.  
5. If possible, lean on a solid support. This can help reduce fatigue during long periods of standing.  

Sitting: 

1. Armrests should be positioned for supporting the weight of your arms. Not too high to make you hunch or too low to make you reach.  
2. Footrests should be a helpful way to maintain good posture while sitting. The footrest is positioned in order your knees are bent comfortably and are level with your hips.  
3. For prolonged periods of sitting, make sure you have enough support for your lower back. Look for a chair that has adjustable lumbar support. If that is not possible, you can increase your back support by using a lumbar roll or even a rolled up towel or cushion placed behind your lower back  
4. Keep in mind that even sitting in the “correct” position for long periods of time will eventually become uncomfortable. Don’t forget to take breaks, get up, move around and stretch! It reduces the stress on your spine and helps prevent muscle fatigue and stiffness. 

 Lift light and lift right: 

1. If it seems too heavy, don’t lift it! Get help!  
2. Always get close to the object.  
3. When lifting or lowering an object, bend your hips and knees and keep your back straight.  
4. Do not hunch over an object, and never lift with straight legs while bending at the waist.  
5. Lift smoothly! Never make sharp movements.  
6. Never twist your back when moving an object. Move your feet instead!  

Start moving: 

1. Exercise is critical for keeping your back healthy.  
2. Even a few minutes of exercise each day can greatly help your back and neck.  
3. Under the direction of a physician or exercise expert, build an exercise routine that combines stretching, strengthening and aerobic activity.