Proclamation, Free Assessments Highlight National Posture Month

By John Voket

Actress Loretta Young is quoted as saying, “Unless some misfortune has made it impossible, everyone can have good posture.”

And Newtown’s Dr Aaron Coopersmith, a newly licensed chiropractor, could not agree more. He was recently on hand at the Newtown Municipal Center as First Selectman Pat Llodra presented a proclamation in recognition of his advocacy toward appropriate uprightness.

He joins fellow chiropractors and national chiropractic organizations, such as the American Chiropractic Association and International Chiropractic Association, across the country promoting May as National Correct Posture Month.

“Posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting, or lying down,” Dr Coopersmith explains in a PowerPoint demo he prepared for Correct Posture Month. “Good posture is the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity. Without posture and the muscles that control it, we would simply fall to the ground.”

According to the latest news, the average American sits for 56 hours a week, often leading to poor posture. Spending all day tapping away on a keyboard, straining over paperwork, and then spending hours at home watching TV can have dramatic affects on posture.

Furthermore, sitting for extended periods of time year after year can have a negative effect on one’s overall health. It can contribute to decreased circulation, slowing metabolism, challenge blood sugar balance, and create increased stress on postural muscle balance.

Several muscle groups, including the hamstrings and large back muscles, are critically important in maintaining good posture, Dr Coopersmith said. While the ligaments help to hold the skeleton together, these postural muscles, when functioning properly, prevent the forces of gravity from pushing us over forward. Postural muscles also maintain our posture and balance during movement.

For those who are anchored to their chair or desk every day, follow these tips for sitting healthy:

*Lumbar support: Sit in a chair with back/lumbar support or put small pillow behind lower back; resting buttock, midback on chair

*Sitting posture: Have both feet flat on the floor with knees slightly higher than your hips or place step stool under your feet. Elbows should be comfortable at your side or resting on an armrest. This allows your shoulders to be relaxed. Your shoulders should also be relaxed, down, and shoulder blades gently engaged (not rounded forward). Your head should be looking straight ahead and chin should be gently tilted down and in.

*Breathing: Focus on abdominal/belly breathing through the day to increase oxygen to body and stay relaxed.

*Sleep better: Make sure to have a mattress that offers support and one that can be “rotated” every few months to prevent body indentations.

*Hydrate: Drink water regularly.

*Move regularly: Get up every 15 minutes to 30 minutes to stretch, move, and breathe!

To help community members achieve optimum health and posture, The Fitness Loft on Sym Lane is offering free movement assessments to its members and to the public.

Owner Cody Foss told The Newtown Bee that past injuries as well as poor posture and movement patterns can lead to restrictions and muscle imbalances. Such imbalances can restrict range of motion and flexibility, cause muscular/joint aches and pain (including low back, knee, shoulder pain and more) and often lead to more serious injuries.

“By reeducating your body you can often rid yourself of pain, improve your strength, speed, balance, and overall quality of life,” Mr Foss said in a release. “The assessments, performed by highly qualified trainers, will identify such restrictions.”

Appropriate flexibility and strengthening exercises will then be demonstrated to help restore proper movement patterns, he added.

The free assessments will be held on Saturday, May 15, and are open to the public. Appointments are available in 15 minute increments between 9 and 11:30 am.

Individual sessions will be approximately 30 minutes each. Spaces are limited to the first ten people to sign up, so call 203-304-1400 to reserve a spot.