“Good posture is when all of the structures, joints, muscles, and connective tissues allow for optimal range of motion with no restriction of movement,” explains Pete McCall, NASM-CPT, PES, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and Voltaren spokesperson. What is correct posture when at rest (sitting or standing) supposed to look like? It involves stacking everything up nicely: “Ideal posture is [having your] spine straight, neck straight (not leaning forward), shoulders level over your hips, a relatively level pelvis, and neutral knees (not collapsing in or splayed out),” McCall says. If you want to work on improving your posture, experts weigh in below on how to do just that, as well as decrease pain, feel more alert, and even sleep better. “If you feel your shoulders rounding forward, think about keeping your spine tall and chest lifted,” he adds. “When sitting, keep your spine long and shoulders pulled back. That will help align the intervertebral segments of the spine so there’s less strain and a lower risk of injury. RELATED: The Unassuming Trick That Helps You Kick Back Pain From Sitting All Day Small tweaks like these will help keep your head, neck, shoulders, hips, and back all aligned in a natural way. If you work in an office, check with your employer about a company ergonomist, who might be able to troubleshoot your desk setup or switch you to an adjustable desk. If everything is set in its ergonomic place, it’ll be so much easier to maintain good posture throughout the day and avoid strain. RELATED: Is Your Lifestyle Too Sedentary? Here Are 8 Signs You’re Not Moving Enough RELATED: 3 Gentle Stretches for Upper Back and Neck Pain
