SOAR your way into perfect posture

Stamford, Conn. (WTNH) - You may not know it, but that pain in your neck could be due to poor posture.

SOAR, a generalized stretch and strengthening program, could help you stand up with perfect posture.

Agility, balance and strength are all critical elements of the SOAR method .

Chiropractor Dr. Beverley Marr developed the sequential technique, which is aimed at easing pain, especially back and neck pain.

"I can actually fix all that most of the time,” said Dr. Marr. “But if they go right back to sitting like a sack of potatoes, the pain comes right back."

Dr. Marr says poor posture effects all body functions, including poor breathing.

"You're squishing your guts, you’re squishing your stomach, your diaphragm is raised and again you don't have good excursion of lung,” she explained.

Joanne Rogers had a chronic stiff neck. "I had this head tilt, my shoulders were back but my head was leaning forward."

She had no idea -- until Dr. Marr told her -- that she did 'not' have good posture.

"I did not know my ears were suppose to be over my shoulders,” Joanne said.

The movements, with shades of yoga and Pilates, elongate muscles and strengthen the core.

Dr. Marr said, "I've sort of taken those and taken the best and, of course, it all has to be back and neck safe."

“The first week there was some shakiness in there, but I just worked through it,” Joanne commented.

Now she has more flexibility and range of motion. "Ear over shoulders and it’s becoming more natural. It's probably what it was, once upon a time."

Standing up comfortably is what it takes.

Dr. Marr recommends doing the SOAR method daily, and it’s only for 15 minutes. She initially came up with it for her pro-athlete patients.