Bad posture is a common cause of back discomfort. If your posture is poor, it can put strain on other parts of your body, causing discomfort, inflammation, and malfunction. Thankfully, physical therapy can help you improve your posture.
According to one study, back discomfort or injury accounts for roughly 3% of all emergency room visits. Back pain is the most prevalent type of pain, and it can severely restrict one’s daily activities. This kind of pain will rear its ugly head at the most random of times.
Perhaps you’re working on a project at work, it’s late at night, you’re exhausted, and you’re slouched sideways in your desk chair, one eye on the computer and the other on the clock. This isn’t your regular position, but you’re getting into the most efficient position for typing up the rest of that file and then zooming out the door!
The issue here is that by sacrificing your posture, you’re also causing unnecessary back pain. The good news is that your posture can be improved through physical therapy!
Contact DonneFIT Physical Therapy in Philadelphia, PA today to learn more about how physical therapy could help your posture and relieve your chronic pain symptoms.
Why do I have poor posture?
Poor posture isn’t something to be ashamed of; few people have ideal posture, and the majority of people engage in terrible posture behaviors in some form. We get so caught up in whatever task we’re working on that we neglect to pay attention to how our bodies are positioned.
At some point in your life, you’ll notice that you’re just not sitting or standing up as straight as you once did. This happens as a part of aging, stress, work-related demands, and other causes. Sometimes we may try to stand or sit up straighter and immediately stop, because it hurts! This is a sign that our posture is very, very poor, and action needs to be taken to improve it.
Poor posture isn’t due to laziness or apathy; rather, it generally has something to do with a physical weakness within our bodies. We slouch, slump, hunch, and droop over when we get feel drained because our bodies literally get tired of holding us up.
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.
How does poor posture result in back pain?
Your posture affects how your body moves – whether you’re sitting, standing, walking, running, jumping, or performing pretty much any other task throughout the day. Your posture may also change depending on what you are doing – perhaps your posture when you stand is perfect, but when you sit at a desk or lay down, your body begins to hunch and fold in ways that it is simply not supposed to.
Do you have a tendency to slouch at your desk? Do you read emails by leaning forward? Do you type with your shoulders hunched over your keyboard? If you have recurrent back pain, it’s very likely that it’s caused by your posture. These are all things that individuals do without even recognizing how much of an impact they have on their bodies.
How will a physical therapy plan benefit me?
Your physical therapist will create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. This will concentrate on reducing discomfort, increasing strength, and improving posture as rapidly as feasible. Treatment strategies may include focus on mobility, balance, flexibility, or stability, depending on the type of your problem.
Our physical therapists have extensive knowledge and are committed to assisting patients in reducing pain and improving posture. When you arrive for your initial visit, your physical therapist will do a thorough examination to determine the source of your discomfort and the best therapy options for alleviating it.
Call DonneFIT Physical Therapy today for more information
Is your posture causing your back pain? Contact us today to find out. We’ll provide you with the treatment you need so you can get back to your pain-free life!
