As a child, you were probably often reminded about sitting up straight. But enter adulthood, and it’s every man and woman for themselves. And, with the addition of smartphones, tablets, and computers, we are even more at risk of poor posture wreaking havoc on our health.
It turns out that good posture is vital for more than just looking confident. Sitting and standing with strong trunk muscles to support good spinal alignment can help prevent back pain, spinal dysfunction, joint degeneration, and so much more.
Why Does Posture Matter? It’s About Your Health
Poor posture can decrease your flexibility, joint mobility, and your balance. One primary focus of physical therapy is to teach patients how to attain proper posture and improve the balanced muscle strength needed to maintain that optimal position. Your physical therapist can help you understand the importance of posture and give you valuable training to help you achieve it daily.
Physical therapists take the time to understand your daily routine and the activities you perform most often. They will teach you how to perform your exercises with ideal posture, protecting you from preventable injuries.
Here are some ways working with a physical therapist on posture will benefit you:
Protect Your Spine and Combat Changes To It
Stresses on your spine can actually cause changes in the structure of your spine. The stress caused by sitting hunched can eventually damage your spinal discs, muscles, joints, and the nerves and blood vessels traveling through your spine.
Your spine is designed to operate most effectively when it is properly aligned. When you move, sit, and stand in ways that disrupt the alignment of your spine, you can create problems over time. Practicing good posture — with the help of your physical therapist — is one way to achieve optimal positioning to minimize back pain.
Improved Circulation
When you maintain proper spinal alignment, your blood vessels are not constricted by the press of your vertebrae. Your entire body, including your spine, requires good circulation to operate correctly and to regenerate from damage and wear and tear.
Your physical therapist will guide you through various exercises that help with posture, stabilization, joint mobility, and flexibility. Thanks to your hard work in physical therapy, you will be better equipped to maintain ideal posture and optimal circulation.
Focus On Strength and Flexibility
If it has been a while since you thought about your posture, you most likely will benefit from focusing on it. So, right now, let’s do a posture check while you are sitting down. Here’s what proper sitting posture should be:
Sit up with your back straight and your shoulders back. Your buttocks should touch the back of your chair. All 3 normal back curves should be present while sitting. You can use a small, rolled-up towel or a lumbar roll to help maintain the normal curves in your back.
How’d you do? The stronger and more flexible you get, the less likely you are to suffer from back pain regularly. It may take some time in physical therapy to gain the strength and flexibility necessary to keep the ideal posture.
Fortunately, your work with your physical therapist will help you become more aware of your posture and how to correct it.
Move Safely with Proper Mechanics
Most people think of posture in static positions, like sitting at a desk or standing in line for a period of time. But good posture is vital in every move we make.
Under the care of your PT, you will learn how to maintain good posture during all of your favorite activities. From running and biking to gardening and household chores, your improved posture in each activity will lessen the wear and tear you put on your spine. You will reduce the risk of developing back pain from your most frequent actions, putting you on the road to health and wellness.
Lift Safely to Protect Your Back
Good posture is a vital component of lifting objects without injury. When you lift things while failing to use good posture or movement mechanics, there is a much greater chance that you can be injured.
During your care, your physical therapist will ask you about the things you lift at work and home. Then, with their knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, they will help guide you on proper lifting posture. They can even design your exercise program to include strengthening activities that mimic your most frequent lifting movements. Because your program is uniquely designed for you, the sky is the limit with tailoring your physical therapy program.
How Can You Reduce Back Pain? Ask For Physical Therapy!
At MVPT Physical Therapy, we are committed to empowering you to achieve a lifetime of health and wellness. We do this by providing you with support and education to address the root cause of your pain.
If you are suffering from back pain, we are here to help! Call your nearest MVPT Physical Therapy location or complete the form below to request an evaluation.
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