Take care of yourself!

We often talk about straightening your back. We often talk about keeping well. And for those of you with teenagers, the following will speak to you! (As well as with the cold which is felt, one adopts the annoying rolled up attitude).

But how should one stand? What does it mean to ''straighten up'' and why is it hard to do it?

Well, the problem lies in the order issued (order to self as well)! It is often thought that to straighten up, all you have to do is inflate your torso and “pull your shoulders back”. And unfortunately, there is nothing more wrong and more frustrating. Indeed, the spine takes the shape of an ''S''. And to preserve balance, when one curve steepens, the others follow, BUT when one curve fades, the others compensate even more!

The straightening is visible in the shoulders, neck and head. But, it does not really originate in these regions. The spine is a single inseparable unit. To straighten up at the level of the shoulders and the head, especially when the back is rounded forward, it is enough to ''dig'' the lower back forward, to ''arch'' the lower back. And as if by magic, the rest of the column follows, adjusting the chest hump and bringing the head “on the shoulders”. Simply pulling the shoulders back and strengthening the shoulder muscles remain two fairly futile recommendations for real postural correction, good straightening and a well-erected position.

The next time you want to "straighten up" your teen, or just stand up straight yourself, think: arch your lower back!

Patrick Georgevitch- Masso-kinesitherapist, fitness coach and fitness specialist