“Stand Up Straight.” Our mothers all said this to us as we were going through our awkward teenage years. Now, as we’re aging, standing up straight – better known as our posture – is even more important. Poor posture can cause balance problems, which lead to fall risks and cause chronic pain. Digestive and respiratory problems can also develop. Physical therapy is an important key to understanding the impact posture has on your body and for treatment and prevention of posture-related problems. In fact, when you’re in a slump, physical therapy improves your posture!
Poor posture causes many chronic issues.
What are the far-reaching consequences of poor posture?
- Chronic pain: Poor posture is a common cause of neck, back, shoulder pain, and headaches. Over time, poor posture can lead to many chronic issues.
- Reduced flexibility and mobility: Prolonged poor posture can lead to stiff muscles and diminished flexibility. The result may be difficulty accomplishing simple household tasks and difficulty maneuvering in and out of cars, which may lead to a more sedentary lifestyle and social isolation due to limited mobility or discomfort.
- Quality of Life: Poor posture can impact quality of life and can cause decreased independence in daily activities, negative effects on mental health which can lead to depression, and anxiety and decreased self-esteem.
- Impaired Breathing: Breathing from your chest relies on secondary muscles around your neck and collarbone instead of your diaphragm. When this breathing pattern is accompanied by poor posture, many muscles in your upper body aren’t able to function properly.
- Risk for Falls: Incorrect posture interferes with balance and coordination. The result is an increase in the risk of falls and subsequent fractures. Also, incorrect posture can cause pain. At the very least, incorrect posture increases apprehension about falling.
How can good posture impact our quality of life?
- Reduces stress on our bodies. Good posture is essential for maintaining balance and for reducing the stress on bones, muscles, and ligaments. Most importantly, good posture reduces the risk of injury, falls, and degeneration.
- Prevents chronic pain. By maintaining proper posture, we can avoid undue stress on the spine and surrounding muscles which in turn prevents chronic pain in the neck, head, back, and shoulders.
- Improves breathing and digestion. Proper posture allows internal organs to remain in their proper positions, along with proper rib cage expansion, thereby allowing them to do what they are meant to do without impediment.
- Improves appearance. Proper posture gives us more confidence and improved self-esteem.
What is the role of physical therapy in the correction of posture?
- Physical therapists assess posture and develop individualized treatment plans to correct any issues assessed during the evaluation. They identify joint or muscle restrictions that play a role in poor posture.
- Physical therapists develop an exercise plan that may include strengthening, neuromuscular re-education, stretching, as well as specific postural exercises to correct imbalances and improve alignment.
- Physical therapists are trained in manual therapy to improve joint mobility, soft tissue mobility, and alignment.
- Physical therapists can address back and neck pain to aid in the correction of posture during standing, sitting, walking, and driving.
What can we do today to improve our posture?
Physical therapy can improve posture and protect against chronic pain.
- When working at a computer, keep your screen at eye level. Sit at the edge of your seat with your feet on the floor.
- Avoid looking down at your phone or tablet for long periods of time.
- If you have to be seated for any significant amount of time, get up and walk around every hour. Perform some gentle motion and stretching to avoid stiffness of your postural muscles.
- Join an exercise class or follow the instructions of your physical therapist for an exercise plan that will improve your posture.
- For specific information and help to improve your posture, consult a physical therapist. Rehab Associates has clinics in 15 convenient locations. Give us a call today at 855-722-8478.
“Stand up Straight”. They’re excellent words of advice, and not just because better posture can make you look better. but it can also improve your health. It can reduce pain, improve balance, improve respiratory function, improve energy levels and quality of life. So, let Rehab Associates help you stand up straight and avoid the chronic issues that poor posture can cause.
Dr. Karen LaRocca treats patients with orthopedic conditions, including those with posture issues, at the Rehab Associates clinic in Appomattox. She is also certified in dry needling. For more information about our team and our locations, please visit https://racva.com/
