Rounded shoulders/ stooped posture

I was told by a physio to imagine that I have a piece of string attached to the back of my head and to imagine I'm being pulled up by it. I have mild spinal scoliosis and am aware that I slouch, so it's helpful, especially if my neck and shoulders start aching.

I will be interested to see the replies to your post, Mazgg as my DH has become very round-shouldered/stoop-postured in the last year or so. Not suggestions of special bras, obviously! But I wonder whether there are unisex type shoulder-puller-backers and if anyone has tried them?

My poor old Mum got like this but in her late 80s and she hated it. She had arthritis in her spine.

I’ve seen adverts too but not sure how good they are.

I have scoliosis and so, I am bent anyway 😂

I think I mentioned this last year because I was going to get a back brace. In the end I bought a very cheap one which didn’t help. I’m struggling with walking because of my posture. My knee is bad but that isn’t what makes me feel tired as soon as I start walking. Wearing a rucksack helps ( I sometimes weigh it down with a couple of tins). I might go and see an osteopath. It’s my neck that seems to stoop forward. I don’t go for walks because of it, I make excuses not to go and I loved walking.

Pilates can help with better posture, balance and strength. All are very important as we get older. And it's doable at whatever your age, level of fitness, or mobility levels are, even armchair pilates. If you can't afford to sign up to classes, or don't have the means to get to them, there are lots of youtube videos for free, for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. I particularly like the ones by Jessica Valant Pilates, but there are literally hundreds to choose from. You can search specifics such as, 'pilates for posture', etc.

I'm 5' 6" and when I was younger, people were always commenting on my height. I tried to make myself look smaller by stooping. Now, of course, my height is not unusual but I still walk the same way.
Pulling in your stomach muscles seems to have the effect of straightening up the whole body.

I was shocked to see my ex neighbour in the supermarket recently. We moved nearly 20 years ago, haven’t really seen her since, and was taken aback by how stooped she was. My first thought was she must have osteoporosis.

Of course, 20 years older, so probably early 80’s now.

I tried one of those back brace things, I can't remember how much I paid for it but recall I thought it expensive. I didn't expect it to be comfortable, but it was so very uncomfortable I couldn't wear it.
Don't waste your money on one.

As we get older we loose muscle density. It’s our muscles that hold our skeleton up, therefore we have to be aware of this happening.

Do get checked for osteoporosis, as I think that is the most likely explanation. Both my mother and my maternal Aunt were both badly affected.

Tai Chi helps

Yoga helps me, it reminds me to be more aware of my posture

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

It's been reported

Sorry for the disruption OP

Way, way back at Junior School the English teacher once howled at me "STOP slouching and SIT UP STRAIGHT or when you get old you'll have round shoulders and a bad back!"

And she was 100% right, bless the old bag.

MOnica I was just about to mention tai chi. One good little tip is just to swallow! The simple act of swallowing pushes your chin back and forces your head into the correct position. Honestly. Try it..
I remember my mum when I was young was always saying 'Sit up straight' and 'Don't slouch' when we were sitting round the tea table. Even Dad used to sit up! But posture really is important in that poor posture affects your balance and results in falls. As we get older we have to consciously correct our posture as our muscles and ligaments lose their strength. And yes it does look very aging to stoop. So take a deep breath, shoulders back, and keep your eyes up as you walk.

Read this with interest as my DH has told me I stoop, I really wasn’t aware of it but having caught sight of myself in a window I realised the extent .
I also have back pain when I walk recently which I think is down the the stooping . I’m making a. conscious effort .

Pilates and yoga are great for posture and balance . Plus strengthening the muscles. Muscles keep your bones strong .

I took up gentle swimming at 70 and make a daily 300ml protein shake to help muscle-work and feel better for it