Michael Bentley · posture ·

Michael's Blog - Posture Check: A Proactive Step Toward Aging Well

Michael's Blog - Posture Check: A Proactive Step Toward Aging Well

Have you been nagged about posture? Perhaps while hunched over a keyboard or your phone!

A Proactive Health Approach

About a year ago, I scheduled a chiro/physio appointment without any issues to address. Just to give Dr. Myles Sinclair, DC of Salus Physiotherapy, a chance to consider proactive health for me, instead of re-active injury recovery. Dr. Sinclair focused on my posture. I learnt that as we age, our back, like the rest of our body, can lose flexibility. Specifically, my upper back presented as a concern - lost flexibility transfers stress to the lower back, increasing chances for injury and pain.

A Personal Wake-Up Call

So, with visions that I could end up looking like Quasimodo, the famous "hunchback" of Notre Dame, thanks to Victor Hugo's 1833 novel Notre-Dame de Paris (or Our Lady of Paris), I added to my work-out routine upper back stretches.

But on the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, my wife Lesley filmed me taking a quick dip in the ocean. And I didn't like what I saw – as I waded into the cool waters my back was hunched with my head forward! While this is not an unusual problem for tall people who often slump in social situations to get their ears out of the cacophony and better hear the person next to them, it's not good.

But Lesley’s video of my dip served as a really good reminder. It’s not too early to make posture my 2026 resolution and to start now! I also booked a fresh appointment with Dr. Sinclair - which won't be fun, but it will be good medicine!

 

Here is Michael foam rolling

Tips to Improve Your Posture

If your posture is great, I commend you! But if it’s not, here are some quick tips to consider:

  • Hold your head high, like it's tethered to the sky (do you like that? It is an original!)

  • Be mindful throughout the day, at your desk, when you walk and when you talk (or listen)

  • Reduce phone scrolling or elevate your phone

  • Get advice from a trained expert on exercises, passive and active, for your posture. For example, a quick daily rolling session on a foam roller across the thoracic spine to improve the spinal extension. The thoracic spine is the middle section of the vertebral column, consisting of 12 vertebrae (T1–T12). It starts at the base of the neck and ends at the bottom of the ribs.

  • When driving, keep your head back against the head restraint.

  • When going to sleep, consider your body position, and do a self-check that you aren't hunched.

Natural Relief for Back and Neck Discomfort

Finally, when your back (or neck) is sore, consider a quick squirt of our natural Pain Relief Topical Spray. (Apologies to our US friends — this made-in-Canada product is now only available in Canada). In no time, you will feel the Pain Relief Topical Spray working as you activate your better posture!

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