Your posture is defined as how your muscles and bones are aligned. The importance of good posture cannot be overstated; your posture is linked to your health, your appearance, and may even be linked to your success. However, having healthy posture is not as common as you might think. Many activities, such as sitting, lifting, sleeping, and standing, can all affect our posture. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The way we sit is a major contributor to poor posture. Many people have jobs that require them to sit at a desk for 6 to 8 hours a day while staring at a computer screen. Few people remember to break the monotony by stretching or taking a brief walk during their break. If you're not sitting at work, you're probably sitting during your commute to and from work, or when you get home and relax after a long day. Poor sitting posture can affect the shape of the spinal cord, leading to back pain and, over time, other serious complications. How we sleep, stand, or lift objects also plays a role in determining posture. More recently, technology has also had an impact on our posture. People typically roll their shoulders forward and bend their necks when texting, browsing social media, or reading an e-book. Massage therapy is beneficial for regaining good posture habits. It does this in the following ways: Relax Tense Muscles Massage Therapy helps relax tense muscles in the body through the use of light pressure and long strokes along the back, neck and shoulders. During a massage, muscle knots are resolved and muscles are no longer constantly tense. When muscles aren't forced to contract, they don't pull on your spine, allowing you to comfortably straighten your back into a healthy posture. Deep tissue massages more effectively reduce severe muscle tension through a series of deeper penetrating movements. Reduced pain. People commonly experience pain in their lower back, neck, and shoulders due to slouching posture. Massage helps stretch those sore muscles so they don't feel overworked. Massages also help expel toxins from the muscles, where they are carried into the bloodstream to be eliminated as waste. With fewer toxins, like lactic acids, your muscles will start to feel much healthier and you will notice less pain. Deeper breathing. Did you know that poor posture affects your breathing? Not convinced? Try this: Sit in a chair and lean forward, letting your hands rest on the floor. Do you find it easy to breathe? Probably not. Poor posture restricts the movement of the lungs and diaphragm, thereby stifling breathing. A massage, however, will help relax your upper body muscles, improve your posture, and remove any breathing obstructions. Reduces the risk of arthritis. With regular massage therapy, the risk of developing arthritis is also reduced. A common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) occurs when the cartilage between two bones in a joint wears away, causing the bones to rub against each other. The result is severe pain and swelling around these joints. Research has shown that poor posture is one of the causes of osteoarthritis. Massage therapy often involves stimulating the muscles and.