When it comes to your bone and joint health you will need to address your posture and what you can do to improve it. Correct posture is something that most people don’t think about and that most times they don’t understand. By taking the time to understand correct posture, what it means to your bone and joint health, and how to achieve it you will reduce your risk of bone and joint problems in your senior years.

You should first know some of the things that can lead to poor posture. These things are (1) being overweight, (2) muscles that are weak, (3) wearing high-heeled shoes, (4) pregnancy, (5) poor standing and sitting habits, (6) muscles that are inactive, and (7) a poor work environment. One of the best things that you can do for your posture and for your bone and joint health is to take some time to find out what promotes good posture and how to achieve it. The following list includes the things that you need to address to improve your posture:

• Lifting things correctly. You must never bend forward from the waist and bend over to pick up an object without bending your knees. Make sure not to lift items that are over 30 lbs.
• Sitting in the correct position. When sitting your back should be straight and your shoulders should be slightly back. Try to keep your feet flat on the floor and not crossed in any way.
• Kneeling, stooping, and squatting correctly. Decide how you want to pick up an object and stick with that style, remembering not to bend over from the waist with your legs straight.
• Standing in the right position. Try to keep your shoulders back, your head held high, and your knees straight. If you are carrying a bag make sure that it doesn’t hang if off one shoulder; the perfect carrying bag is an even distributed knap sack.
• Correct ergonomics in the work environment.
• Driving a vehicle in the correct position. Your seat should be close enough so that your knees bend and your feet can reach the pedals without stretching.
• Sleeping or lying down in the right position. Make sure that your pillow is under your head and never underneath your shoulders.