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Slide show

Slide show: Prevent back pain with good posture

By Mayo Clinic staff
 

Photograph of woman standing tall and straight

Why is good posture important?

When it comes to posture, your mother did know best. Her reminders to stand up straight and stop slouching were good advice.

Your spine is strong and stable when you practice healthy posture. But when you stoop or slouch, your muscles and ligaments struggle to keep you balanced — which can lead to back pain, headaches and other problems.

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References
  1. How to sit at a computer. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00261. Accessed March 8, 2013.
  2. Everett T, et al. Human Movement: An Introductory Text. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2010:61.
  3. Muscolino JE. Kinesiology: The Skeletal System and Muscle Function. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011:601.
  4. Armiger P, et al. Stretching for Functional Flexibility. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010:171.
  5. Tips to maintain good posture. American Chiropractic Association. http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=1452. Accessed March 8, 2013.
  6. Low back pain fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/back_pain.htm. Accessed March 8, 2013.
  7. Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 11, 2013.
LB00002_D May 16, 2013

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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