Posture/Posturology and Your Skin

Have you ever thought about the significance of your posture? Posture is defined as the position of your body in space, controlled by a set of anatomical structures—something to keep in mind as you read the rest of this blog. Since the Digital Age, there has been a significant decline in overall good posture. Muscle imbalances are actually one of the lesser significant after-effects of this dilemma.

Over the 17th and 18th centuries, “good” posture was an integral sign of wealth, health, strength, and beauty. “Bad” posture was a sign of disability and even moral degeneration. Can you imagine how significantly posture has declined worldwide since then? Today, it is very common to see multiple cases of Dowager’s Humps or text necks on a daily basis. Now, you may ask, what does all of this have to do with my facial skin? Constantly holding your neck, shoulders, and upper back in an incorrect postural position can cause a plethora of problems for your entire face, mandible, and teeth. Muscles tensed regularly in an incorrect position can cause an increase in muscle exertion and tension. Your whole face consists of 43 muscles, so simply put, if your posture is out of balance, your whole face compromises and adjusts to the new positioning of the muscles around the neck, upper back, and shoulders. This may result in possible TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorders and can even change the bone structure of your face, potentially causing jowling and essentially giving gravity complete power over the skin of your face. Tense muscles can either pull down or stretch your facial muscles, and with the skin on top of that muscle, the skin adheres to it.
So, what is this whole discussion about? And why is it so important to be aware of your posture?

This discussion is about the crucial importance of postural awareness. Being aware is the first step to solving an integral problem in today’s society, perhaps even an integral problem in your very own face. When I say, “in your own face,” I mean that face wrinkles and premature aging are very common after-effects of “bad” posture. This awareness, in turn, guides you toward the right direction—curiosity. Curiosity about anything and everything, backed by factual evidence. These facts give shape to that very curiosity about your own face and posture.

Now, the fact-check hub is all over the place. There is an ocean of information and knowledge just waiting for you to dive in. So, where do you turn for the necessary information, guidance, and knowledge regarding “everything posture”? Well, I hope Sarcelle will be able to be one of your sources. ;)

But on a more serious note, Google is packed with information—stretching from university journals and studies to doctor’s articles and beyond. So, what is stopping you from finding that information yourself? Go for it! Dare to go on that wild, astounding, mind-blowing adventure and see where it takes you. Beware of possible misinformation, and ensure the factuality of the information by cross-referencing journals with others. Doing so will not only enrich your knowledge but also give you an enlightened sense of the amount of misleading information out there. 

I hope and believe that Sarcelle will become a home for you, the curious, and for your face.
Now, how can I apply all of this knowledge to my everyday life? you may ask. Here are a few handy tips on what to be aware of and what to do. Note that the lists below are non-exhaustive and very basic.

Be aware of the following “bad” posture examples:
1. When sitting in front of your computer: if you want “bad” posture, push your nose into the screen, forcing a
forward head and neck position. (Text neck/Tech neck)
2. When sitting or standing with your phone in your hands, scrolling: if you want “bad” posture, keep your phone
below eye level.
3. Your tongue’s resting position is at the floor of your mouth.

What to do:
1. If you want “good” posture, sit with your head centred over your shoulders. Avoid reaching your head too far forward or too far back.
2. If you want “good” posture, always bring the object (phone) in your hands to the height of your eyes. Avoid keeping the object (phone) below eye level.
3. If you want “good” posture, be very conscious of the placement of your tongue. Try to keep your tongue flush against the top of your palate. Breathe in and out through your nose.
4. If you want “good” posture, try to incorporate exercises aimed at, but not limited to, your shoulders (deltoids, especially the posterior deltoid), upper back (latissimus dorsi, trapezius, rhomboids, etc.), neck (sternocleidomastoids, etc.), and face (masseter, temporalis, etc.).

As you are reading this, let’s do a quick “check-in.” Are your shoulders and back possibly rounding forward? Is your neck pushed forward and out of line with the rest of your spine? Is your tongue resting on the floor of your mouth? Are you holding your phone at the height of your lap? Are you breathing through your mouth? See what I just did there? Being aware is such a pivotal part of correcting your own postural positions. Go and do yourself a favour and take a peek at the journals and studies below. I was once again blown away by the adversity of the human body as a whole. The holistic approach is the right approach.

Here are a few other things affected by posture (WARNING: These will tickle your brain!):
• Lymphatic system function
• Neurological and cognitive function
• Digestive system function
• Respiratory system function
• Nervous system function
• Cardiovascular system function
• Endocrine system function
• Reproductive system function
• Urinary system function
I look forward to having you here with me again soon, immersing ourselves in this exciting new adventure.

See you soon!
Cornelia

References:
1. https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/november/posture-clinicalconcepts#:~:text=History%20of%20postural%20beliefs&text=Over%20the%2017th%20and%2018th,in%20the%20early%2020th%20century.
2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-you-can-fix-a-dowagers-hump-prevention-tips
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2907357/
4. https://www.institutomaxilofacial.com/en/2022/04/07/bad-posture-and-its-effects-on-the-maxillofacial-area/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347625066_Quantitative_evaluation_of_facial_sagging_in_different_b ody_postures_using_a_three-dimensional_imaging_technique
6. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajplegacy.1966.210.5.943
7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6166197/