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Mainly clear. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.

Health aside, good posture has aesthetic benefits as it is an important part of nonverbal communication.

The first impression a person makes is often a visual one, and good posture can convey an impression of confidence, alertness and attractiveness.

More importantly though, proper posture allows the body segments to be balanced.

The various segments of the human body (head, shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle, rib cage and spine) are balanced in a vertical column by muscles and ligaments. Good posture helps maintain an even distribution of force across the body, improve shock absorption, and minimize the amount of active muscle tension required to maintain upright posture.

Improper posture can cause abnormal curvatures of the spine such that the vertebral column appears S-shaped. These curvatures are created by the iordotic (inward) curve of the cervical and lumbar spines and the kyphotic (outward) curve of the thoracic spine.

The curves help balance forces on the body and minimize muscle tension. They are also responsible for humans’ unique ability to walk upright on two legs while maintaining a forward gaze.

The degree of curvature is influenced by the tilt of the pelvis. A forward pelvic tilt increases curvature in the neck and lower back, whereas a backward pelvic tilt flattens the lower back.

The most desirable position is a neutral spine in which the spine has neither too much nor too little lordotic curvature. The forces across the spine are balanced and muscular tension is at a minimum.

Good standing posture is important to a healthy spine. The head should be centered over the trunk with forward gaze, the shoulders should be down and back but relaxed, with the chest high and the abdomen flat. The spine should have slight curves when viewed from the side. The knees should be relaxed, with the knee-caps pointed straight ahead. The feet should point straight ahead and the weight should be borne over the heel, on the outside border of the sole, and across the ball of the foot and toes.

Because a large percentage of our days are spent sitting, good seated posture decreases pressure within the discs of the lower back and reduces fatigue of lower back muscles.

In sitting, the head should be centered over the trunk, the shoulders down and back. If one is using a computer, the monitor should be at eye level with the screen 18 to 24 inches from the eyes. The seat of the chair should be at an angle that allows the knees to be positioned slightly lower than the hips.

The back should rest firmly against the chair, with support to the lumbar spine. The feet should be supported on the floor and arms supported on armrests for ideal unloading the spine.

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