Your posture—the way you carry yourself—is not just a matter of appearance. It’s an important factor in maintaining your general well-being. When all your body parts are in line—shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and feet—your spine is able to maintain its natural curve. When you are standing still, staying erect and keeping good posture is relatively easy. But the everyday activities of life pull us, literally, in different directions. Whether it’s lifting items at work, lugging a baby around, or working at a computer, all these activities are capable over time of pulling our infrastructure out of line.

Even our heads are a burden. Did you know the average human head weighs around 10 pounds? If we let our heads fall forward all the time, we run the risk of developing what’s called upper thoracic hump.

So, keep your head up and your shoulders back. It’s important that we have a general understanding of, and feel for, the relationship among our body parts. Talk with a chiropractor about measures you can take to keep yourself in proper alignment.

Practices like yoga and Pilates might be beneficial for you. If you are planning to take up a specialized exercise program, you should do it with a trained instructor. Talk with your chiropractor and your general physician before starting any exercise program.