What Does Posture Have to Do with Pain?
How do you maintain your posture throughout the day? Do you catch yourself slouching frequently? Do those last couple hours of the school or work day leave you hunched over and ready to leave? If you are experiencing aches and pains, especially in your neck or back, poor posture is probably to blame. Fortunately, posture can be improved with the help of physical therapy. Contact Orthopedic Sports Therapy today to learn more about how we can improve your posture and help you to lead a pain-free, active life!
Why do I have poor posture?
Poor posture isn’t anything to be embarrassed about – very few people have perfect posture, and most people partake in bad posture habits in one way or another. We become so wrapped up in whatever tasks we are doing that we forget to think about the way our bodies are positioned.
Improper posture isn’t due to laziness or apathy; rather, it generally is due to learned movement patterns (yes, you can blame your parents!), weakness in some areas and tightness in others. We slouch and slump when we feel drained because our bodies (quite literally) get tired of holding us up.
Poor posture leads to excessive strain on your joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It also weakens many of the core muscles that are needed in order to keep you upright and healthy. Posture changes occur over time and most people don’t pay attention to them until they begin to notice aches and pains.
Even if you exercise regularly, it is possible that there are still a few weak muscles contributing to your posture that you may not even realize. The muscles in your shoulders, back, abdomen, buttocks, and pelvic floor all play an important role in your posture. If even one of these is weak, your core will be affected, and your posture may suffer.
Your body is designed to align perfectly, in order to allow for proper movement of the muscles, breathing, and blood circulation. If poor posture continues, it can eventually lead to chronic conditions as you age.
Regaining your posture with physical therapy:
Physical therapy is a great way to regain normal posture. Our physical therapists are experts in movement and they are great resources to have when trying to achieve your physical performance goals. They will aid you in the improvement of your balance, stability, flexibility, and mobility, all of which will positively affect your posture.
At your initial evaluation, your physical therapist at Orthopedic Sports Therapy will perform functional testing in order to identify which areas of your body are contributing to your poor posture. Afterward, they will create a customized treatment plan, tailored to your specific needs.
Treatment plans typically include manual therapy and targeted exercises to improve alignment and regain proper function. Additional treatments, such as video analysis and movement retraining may be added as your physical therapist deems fit. Your treatment plan will focus on improving your posture, increasing strength, and (most importantly) relieving pain, if you are experiencing that.
If you are experiencing back pain, your posture may be to blame. Fortunately, Orthopedic Sports Therapy is ready to help you begin your journey toward long-lasting pain relief. Find out for yourself why physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to improve your posture and address your back pain to start on the road to recovery. Contact our Tempe and Phoenix physical therapy office today to schedule a consultation, and figure out how physical therapy can help make you “posture perfect!”