Why is good posture important?

When it comes to posture, your mother did know best. Her frequent reminders to "stand up straight" and "stop slouching" were good advice.

Your spine is strong and stable when you practice healthy posture. But when you stoop or slouch, your muscles and ligaments struggle to keep you balanced. If you have chronic backaches, healthy posture will help relax your back muscles and may reduce your pain. Practicing good posture may also prevent backaches and other problems.