How to improve your posture: 7 ways to straighten up

Need to improve your posture at work? Here are some great tips you can put into action straight away!

If your office chair could speak it would say:

Are you sitting all the way back in my seat? – Sitting all the way back in my seat, are your feet on the floor? If not, try a footrest
Are my armrests stopping you from getting close enough to the workstation? If so, lower them or take them off.
Is my backrest giving you nice support in your lower back as you type? If not, roll up a towel in the small of your back to fill my deficiencies.
Are you still here? You need to get up and I need a rest.
You keep sitting on the edge of my seat! Sit back, and try a footrest
Don’t blame me for your neck; I’m here to support the rest of you. Your monitor must be at eye level and your keyboard nice and close.
It’s been an hour, and I know there’s that deadline, so take the next phone call standing up and then let’s get going again.

Looking for personalised posture tips? Come in for a bulk-billed posture screening.

Looking for a great ergonomic office chair? We suggest Ergotherapy’s chairs – check them out here.

Image credit: Womens Health Magazine

About the Author: Larry Cohen

Larry is a highly skilled physiotherapist who specialises in treating back and neck pain, postural issues and scoliosis. He is certified in Schroth and SEAS methods and through the Egoscue University. Larry has a background in elite gymnastics and springboard diving and also has many years experience in endurance running and triathlons. His specialist knowledge and techniques have seen him appointed as a gymnastics coach and physiotherapist at both the Olympics Games and Special Olympics. His passion and driving philosophy is about achieving the best outcomes for his patients utilising an amalgam of the latest techniques and theories while recognising there may sometimes be a need for invasive procedures. Where deemed appropriate Larry will then refer to a specialist. To further his holistic understanding and approach, Larry is currently undertaking a Ph.D. in Spinal Deformity and regularly attends and speaks at international conferences and courses and clinics. Fun fact: Larry is learning how to surf - so be careful next time you go to the beach! Qualifications: B.Sc (Physiotherapy); M.Sc. (Exercise Physiology); Advanced Certificates in Schroth (BSPTS) and Egoscue (PAS) and SEAS Larry is Level II certified (advanced) in the conservative treatment of Scoliosis based on the Schroth method. The training was conducted by Dr Manuel Rigo of the Barcelona School at Scoliosis Rehab Inc in Wisconsin. He has completed his SEAS scoliosis treatment training at ISICO in Milan. Larry has also spent time working with Dr Rigo in the Barcelona clinic. Larry also has advanced certificates in shoulder treatment, posture alignment therapy and acupuncture.