There are some incredible advantages to having good posture. Aside from making you look taller and thinner, good posture enables you to feel your absolute best. When you consider these benefits, it's rather strange more emphasis isn't put on achieving the proper posture. We'd like to introduce you to a man who's out to change that...one spine at a time.
Meet Dr. Paul Drew, a man who has dedicated his life to the subject of posture. Drew began his journey 22 years ago when he earned the credentials to be a certified massage therapist. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from the University of Southern California in 1996, and ultimately his clinical doctorate degree in physical therapy in 1999.
During the last decade, Dr. Drew's clients have included celebrities such as Madonna, Phil Jackson, Al Pacino, Burt Bacharach, Renee Russo and Sharon Stone. With his skills in both massage and physical therapy, Drew helps patients with issues that range from tense muscles to severe injuries. They are experiences, he claims, that have formed his belief in the importance of having good posture.
Why is Posture Important?
"Where should I start?" asks Drew, stating that chronic tension headaches are one of the first signs of bad posture. It is a trend he has seen in great numbers of patients who spend a lot of time at a computer, especially those who use a laptop.
"The natural tendency," he says, "is to round the shoulders toward the screen." Accentuated with laptop use because of its lower positioning, rounding the shoulders puts incredible strain on the muscles in the neck. This leads to stiff necks and backs, tension headaches and various problems pertaining to the shoulders.
Another affect of rounding the shoulders is the tendency for muscles in the lower back to cave in toward the navel. Drew explained that the body compensates for itself. Whenever there is an imbalance in one area, the body creates an imbalance in another. Once the lower back starts caving in, issues such as lower back pain, herniated discs, and arthritis of the spine start to occur. The doctor added that problems with either the hips or knees could easily follow next.
According to Drew, practicing good posture will not only protect you from injury and enable you to live a healthier and more active life, but it will also improve your self-esteem. He says it's a practice that both lengthens and slims the body, claiming that no matter the body type it is sure to have aesthetic affects. It is this belief that inspired Drew to write his book.
Red Carpet Posture
"I feel it's become a little too popular, especially for women, to have bad posture," states Drew. Noticing it first by watching celebrities on the red carpet, he says that it has become almost en vogue for women to slouch. Drew looks at his book, Red Carpet Posture, as a way to correct this by providing knowledge, advice and exercises on how to achieve and maintain good posture.
The exercises, he says, are targeted to strengthening the muscles that help with posture. Tried and true, they are relatively easy to do and can fit into any workout regimen. He says they also carry secondary benefits such as helping with weight control, body fat maintenance and overall conditioning.
"Good posture is glamorous!" says Drew, adding that it was actually a prerequisite for being an actor or actress back in the Golden Age of film. Glamour is something he'd like to bring back for everyone, claiming that along with it will come enhanced confidence and self-esteem.
What Causes Bad Posture?
Seeking a glimpse into his book, we asked Dr. Drew about some of the behaviors that cause bad posture. "Weight gain, especially in the belly, can play a big role," he claims. Reiterating the idea that the body compensates for itself, he says excess belly weight is just another means for the lower back to start caving inward.
How we sit also affects our posture. From driving in our cars to sitting at a desk working on the computer, Drew says that most people don't give it nearly enough thought.
Claiming it all starts with positioning, Drew recommends choosing a desk and chair that are the correct height for your body. The second step is using a computer stand to position the monitor at eye level. This helps the shoulders stay back, as opposed to rolling forward.
He also suggests staying away from desk chairs with wheels. Citing the fact that most floors aren't perfectly flat or even, chairs on wheels have a tendency to roll. Even if the floor's difference is slight, Dr. Drew says the act of using your feet to brace yourself puts undo stress on the lower back.
Sitting in one spot for too long a time is also a negative, as our muscles and concentration will eventually start to tire. He recommends keeping track of the time we sit at our desks or behind the wheel of a car. As a regular practice, Drew advises, "Take a break every hour or so to get up and walk around."
Another horrible habit according to the doctor is the practice of talking on the telephone with it pinned between our ear and shoulder. It is an unnatural position for our neck that puts undo stress on the entire body. It is easily remedied, however, by purchasing an inexpensive headset at any office supply store.
The bed you sleep in is also a big deal when it comes to your posture, but it has less to do with the mattress's firmness than it does its evenness. Drew says that most mattresses have a tendency to weaken in the middle over the course of time, causing the spine to conform to that shape. He says if your mattress is more than seven years old, you should look into buying a new one.
Pillows are also important. Drew suggests finding a thickness and firmness that works for you. The most important factor, however, is where you place your head on the pillow. He says no matter if you sleep on your back or side you should position the fattest part of the pillow directly underneath the base of your skull. This placement is optimal for keeping the spine in a straight position.
How Do We Correct Our Posture?
Aside from the exercises he puts forth in his book, Drew offers up a few tips that will have an immediate positive effect on your posture.
The doctor recommends focusing on keeping your shoulder blades down and pulled back. He likens it to imagining you have an orange on your back and you're trying to squeeze it with your shoulder blades. Doing so will not only lengthen the spine, but it will also take undo pressure off the muscles in your neck.
In addition, Drew advises to keep your bellybutton drawn up and in toward your spine. This action, he says, will rotate your hips so they are positioned underneath you, providing both balance and support.
The doctor also gives some advice you've probably already heard - suck in your stomach. He's says it not only serves as a good reminder for his shoulder and bellybutton techniques, but it also burns calories and strengthens abdominal muscles.
Considering that good posture has a lot to do with training your muscles to stay in certain positions, Dr. Drew has developed a line of clothing that provides some much needed help. Teaming up with fashion designer and Project Runway contestant, Vincent Libretti, Drew is launching a line of clothes he refers to as "active couture-wear".
With the ability to be worn daily, as well as to fancy occasions, the clothing is designed to accentuate the female body. What makes the clothing truly unique, however, is that whenever a woman slouches, the clothes pull on her muscles to let her know. He likes this idea because the woman is using her own body, as opposed to a support or a brace, to correct her posture. It also serves as the perfect parallel to his mantra - having good posture is the greatest fashion statement you can make.
