Improve your Posture With This Expensive Shirt

We all know that good posture promotes good health. Whether you’ve read a Contour blog on the subject, did personal research, or just know your body tends to function correctly when you sit up straight. Proper spinal posture, whether we are aware of how we’re sitting/standing or not, helps the body on a daily basis. But even with this information in tow, it can be difficult to keep the spine in its preferred and upright position at all times. Just short of a nagging mother or a teacher slapping a ruler in our direction at all hours, constant good posture is almost impossible.

While we can catch ourselves when necessary, a new invention brings a new, more constant solution. One that keeps our backs in place even when we aren’t paying attention. The invention, a specially made garment called the Up shirt, comes with specially-placed elastic bands that makes it easier for wearers to adjust shoulders toward good posture. Devices that perform similar functions can be purchased and strapped to the back and arms. The Up shirt’s manufacturers argue, however, that such devices are uncomfortable and can’t be discretely worn in public. In contrast, the shirt’s posture abilities go unnoticed as they’re built right into the material. It can even be worn under outer layers for those who still want to sport their own sense of style.

So what’s the catch? The shirt costs $175-$200 – a lot of dough for one shirt. And assuming you don’t want to wear the same garment every day, the price tag goes up considerably. Part of the costs come from high-quality ingredients, such as organic cotton and specialized elastic bands, which are made to withstand washes and multiple wears.

Though it seems like a hefty price for a shirt, it’s also fairly cheap on the span of spinal health treatments.

Find more about the Up shirt here.

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Why Stomach Strength is Important for Posture

Whether or not we host a set of six-pack abs, stomach muscles offer a great deal of body support. Between holding us upright and keeping all our organs sitting proper (along with some help from the bones), stomachs are far more important than they’re given credit for. Sure, on the inside they hold meals and start the digestive process. But on the outside, its functions are just as important.

It’s high time we start giving the mid-section a little more recognition. After all, it’s what allows us to perform hundreds of movements each day. And without a solid set of abs – even if it doesn’t look that way on the outside – the back begins to sink and slouch. Poor posture is also one of the main causes of continual back pain; it’s often the largest contributor to poor spinal health. Without proper abs strength, however, it’s easy to bend or slouch after a short period of time. Because the muscles aren’t further developed, they tire easily, leading to underlying medical issues, such as poor posture-induced pains.

Why Abs are Important

Each person’s abs connect to the spine and pelvis, allowing you to stand in a balanced position. When that connection is strained, however, stress and pressure is placed on the back, and the abs themselves. By aligning the spine, all aspects can receive the correct support that they need.

To help this natural posture improvement, strengthen abs so they are able to sustain your back throughout the day, without becoming tired or weak. This can be done through workouts, sitting on a medicine ball, or by just sitting up straight. Make a conscious effort for a certain period of time, adding minutes each day until the posture feels natural. [Boxing Scene]

Start flexing your abs for a natural, internal way to improve posture.

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The Best Sleeping Positions for a Bad Back

When crawling into bed each night, sometimes the worst positions are just the most comfortable. We sleep on our sides, our stomachs, and flop arms into odd angles. Those sleeping positions, however, just may contribute to back pain throughout the day. By stretching the muscles awkwardly or putting weight on the wrong areas, tings can occur several hours later.

To not only avoid pain-causing positions, but to help your back while sleeping, try these three back-friendly set ups. (Even Dr. Oz agrees.)

The Soldier

When achieving “the soldier,” a sleeper must lay on their back through the entire night. Look for a supportive mattress that will hold the rear, spine, and legs in place while achieving this pain-free night of rest.

Note: The soldier should be avoided by those with sleep apnea, as gravity allows the throat to become blocked, which is dangerous for those with difficult nighttime breathing. Back sleeping can also increase one’s chances of snoring throughout the night.

Sleeping Beauty

Graceful as it may sound, the “sleeping beauty” pose offers hard-hitting results against spinal pressure. Lay on your side with the back slightly curved, knees bent, and the arms crossed. Add a pillow between the knees to offer added hip support, or leave as is to achieve a restful position.

This is also considered one of the only side-effect-free ways to sleep – causing no outside pains or snoring tendencies.

Dead Man’s Float

Stomach down and head cocked to the side, the “dead man’s float” offers a position that any frontal sleeper can enjoy. Arms under the pillow can also work to prop the head and offer upper limb comfort.

Over time, this can cause neck twinges, which may or may not manifest in recurring pain. To avoid these side effects, do without the pillow or find another place for the arms. Another pillow under the hips will also prop the lower end of the body, evening out one’s levels. [Dr. Oz]

To gain a healthy night’s sleep, remember to look toward these back-friendly positions during all hours of the night.

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The Hazards of Wearing High Heels

High-heeled shoes of all shapes and heights can cause ongoing damage to the body. Depending on frequency and length of wear, these side effects can vary from minor pain to irreversible damage. Before strapping on those stylish shoes this holiday season, consider the specifics as to what’s taking place with each step.

Calf Muscles Can Shorten

Over time, the calf muscles can shrink and shorten due to improper usage. When wearing high heels, the rear of the foot is elevated, using less of this important muscle with each step.

Shortened Achilles Tendon

Also in danger of minimizing in length is the Achilles tendon. When walking on an angle vs. flat-footed, the tendon becomes compromised and is used in an unsafe position.

Knee Pain

When wearing high heels, thigh muscles are made to work harder, which means more impact on the knee (knee cap pressure alone increases by 26%). Over time this leads to aches or injuries.

Bad Posture

Because of the way one’s weight is displaced in high heels, the rest of the body’s posture suffers. The stomach is pushed forward (as well as the chest), the rear is pushed back, tilting the lower back, and knees and ankles are bent at awkward ankles, while the toes take the brunt of the weight. This is a recipe for pain and poor circulation in all areas of the body.

Ankle Sprain

Without proper footing, ankle sprains are far more likely to take place. In heightened shoes, wearers are more likely to lose balance, slip, or misstep, which can often cause ankle injuries.

Weight Displacement

Feet were made to hold one’s weight evenly, not all on the ball or toes. And the higher the heel, the more pressure that’s put onto the front of the feet. This can cause corns, shortening of toes, hammertoes, bunions, and a number of other pain-inducing issues. [Consumer Healthcare]

Holiday or not, avoiding high heels on a regular basis can help you to avoid these unfortunate health issues. Stick to flats for comfort, and for your health.

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New Ergonomic Seat Cushion from Contour

Contour Products just added a new support cushion for seat support - the Freedom Seat. If you like our Freedom Back full back support cushion, you're going to love our new Freedom Seat cushion.

The Freedom Seat has 7 distinct features to improve your back comfort while seated! The Freedom Seat’s wedge shape restores your lumbar curve and comforts spinal discs, while its coccyx relief cutout minimizes pressure build-up in the tailbone area. The cushion’s unique, cradling edge design positions your hips for better posture. Shallow surface dimples combine with a breathable cover to enhance softness and allow better air ventilation.

This cushion is made of highly resilient material to distribute your body’s weight more evenly, minimizing pressure points. Its anatomic shape and contoured surface comfortably fit you anywhere you go. It’s great for home use and also with wheelchairs, in the car, or on the plane.

Coccyx Relief Cutout - The "Zero Pressure Tailbone Cutout" for coccyx area, minimizes direct contact between the sensitive tailbone are and the seating surface. This reduces uncomfortable stress and pressure which can build-up during prolonged seating.

Highly Resilient Material High-Density foam provides better support and even distribution of your body's weight, reducing uncomfortable pressure points around the pelvic bone.

Cradling Edge Design - Graduated edge of seat cushion positions hips for better alignment and posture.

Contoured Surface - Curved front design avoids pressure on lower thigh.

Anatomic Shape - Anatomic shape contours to fit the curves of your lower body for a comfortable seat - anywhere you go.

Breathable Cover - Soft, breathable cover to ensure all day comfort.

Wedge Shape - Angled wedge design rotates your pelvis, reducing strain on the lower spine. Helps restore your lumbar curve and comforts spinal discs.

New Surface Dimples! - Enhance softness and air ventilation

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