“Posture Perfect?”

Peter Lacerenza
Features Editor

We are always told to “sit up straight”, “throw our shoulders back,” and “don’t slouch,” but is it really necessary to have the seasoned posture of a drill sergeant?

“Some of the health benefits [of good posture]are proper organ function, because if you’re stooped over, all of the organs cannot function,” local chiropractor Dr. Maryanne Ducey explained. “With bad posture you can have headaches, dizziness, pain, and difficulties with activities of daily living.” [These activities can be as simple as tying shoes and washing your hair].

The overwhelming weight of backpacks, especially when students settle into the habitual one-shouldered lug means that back problems are occurring with younger and younger people. “It’s vitally important in the teenage age bracket to prevent posture and spinal problems,” Dr. Ducey said. After the formative years they become harder to change and become more permanent.”

Setting health issues aside, do students find posture to be a critical issue? “I feel that it’s not really important what someone’s physical stature is, as long as they’re a good person it doesn’t really matter,” senior Ryan Frattaroli said.

Sophomore Dylan Kavookjian voiced a similar opinion, “I think it’s very important,” he said, “It doesn’t look great when you’re slouched over, but you appear a lot different when you’re standing up straight.”

Many people have a key turn on when they are attracted to someone. But does posture step into the same arena as a great smile and nice eyes? “Yes, I sometimes pay attention to posture when I am attracted to someone,” junior Alex Lloyd said. “I wouldn’t be attracted to someone with perfect, pin-straight posture, but a hunchback isn’t so attractive either.”

Posture can either make or break your look, so what are some of the enhancements that posture can grant people? “They look more poised if they have good posture,” senior Katie Burwick said, “But if someone is slouching it makes me think they don’t care about how they look.”

When the post-lunch slump kicks in, even the most poised and mannered of us let our guard down and begin to slouch in our seats. But what are some other things that students find most influential on their posture? “Strains on the back, and being overly laid back. Also sleeping and sitting habits,” Dylan said.

But do students try to improve their posture? “Yes, when I’m trying to impress someone my posture will become very good,” Ryan explained.

“No, “I don’t see any problems with my posture, and I don’t try to improve it unless I am instructed or told to,” Alex said.

Nevertheless, posture is still remains important to maintain, for health benefits as well as for one’s appearance. If while reading this you are one of the many who slowly but surely ironed out the slouch in your back, good for you, but remember:    Posture isn’t everything.