How To Fix Improper Posture for Back and Neck Pain Relief
February Newsletter
“Stand up straight!” has been a refrain from parents throughout the ages, but is it really that important? Actually – yes, it is!
Many people assume maintaining proper posture is about appearance: looking tall and confident. In reality, improper posture can cause pain in your neck and upper back and put pressure on your spine, leading to an increased injury risk.
But what exactly is proper posture? It probably won’t surprise you to learn that it’s more complicated than merely standing up straight. Instead, it’s more about finding the right spinal alignment for your body – and that’s something the physical therapists at Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness can help you with!
If you’re struggling with persistent neck or back pain, it may be time to visit us for a postural assessment. We’ll help pinpoint any impairments or imbalances in your spine that might be causing problems and then provide strategies for maintaining your postural alignment throughout the day.
Call us to schedule an appointment for your initial consultation!
Understanding Proper Posture: Movement and Awareness is Key
Let’s get this out of the way first: There’s no universal “ideal posture” that will work for everyone. Even common advice like “stand up straight” isn’t particularly helpful: for one, no one’s spine is ever perfectly straight since it has a natural curve pattern. For another, you don’t spend your entire life standing still.
Rather than aiming for a non-existent “perfect” posture, you want to focus on two things:
Postural Awareness:
People don’t set out to have bad posture. You might start the day telling yourself you’re not going to slouch – but then, as you get busy with other tasks, posture becomes the last thing on your mind. By staying more aware of your posture, you can more easily adapt to the various positions you have to hold throughout the day.
Avoid Prolonged Postures:
Your body wants to move. Holding the same posture for extended periods (even if you’re sitting up straight and have everything in alignment) is still going to cause problems! Rather than aiming for a “perfect” posture, make sure to change your positions throughout the day. Alternate between sitting and standing. Switch positions. Get up and move around. In short – try to stay as active as possible.
The Relationship Between Posture and Pain
Neck and back pain have several potential causes and contributing factors. Improper posture is often one of them.
When you lose your postural awareness and start to slouch, it puts extra strain on the muscles that support your spine, particularly the muscles in your neck and upper back. This can lead to overuse injuries that cause pain or restricted mobility.
Remaining in prolonged postures (particularly sitting) also puts extra strain on your back muscles. When you get up and move around – even if it’s just for a few minutes – you relieve that pressure. Staying active also helps strengthen the muscles of your back and core, which helps prevent common musculoskeletal injuries that can cause pain and dysfunction.
Physical Therapy’s Role in Improving Posture
When you visit us for your appointment, here’s what we’ll do to help you improve your posture and reduce your back and neck pain:
We start with a comprehensive postural assessment.
We’ll take a look at your posture when you’re sitting, standing, and moving, looking for potential areas of dysfunction. We’ll also take a complete health history and might run some additional screens, too, testing for strength, mobility, balance, and more.
We help with any acute pain.
Manual therapy techniques and targeted mobility exercises can help relieve your pain and help you get your body’s function back.
We help strengthen any weak muscles:
Targeted strengthening exercises will help correct any muscular imbalances stemming from improper posture, providing better support and stability to your spine.
We offer personalized postural corrections:
The final piece of the puzzle helps ensure lasting relief. We’ll provide a customized postural improvement plan that speaks to your unique needs and impairments.
Start Improving Your Posture Today!
Fixing improper posture isn’t a one-and-done affair, but a visit to Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness can help you get started. Call us to schedule your appointment today!
Sources: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Posture, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4499985/ S0003999321003257
https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-carpal-tunnel-syndrome
Our New supplement partnership
Supplement spotlight:
Vascanox HP
Vascanox HP supports cardiovascular health by promoting healthy nitric oxide production, which helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation. Better blood flow can support heart health, healthy blood pressure already within a normal range, and efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Its formulation is designed to provide longer-lasting nitric oxide support, along with antioxidant benefits that help protect vascular function and overall circulation.
Simple Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled & chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cans black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt & pepper
- In a big pot, cook onion in a little oil until soft.
- Add sweet potatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt & pepper. Stir.
- Add beans, tomatoes, and broth. Stir.
- Simmer until sweet potatoes are tender (about 20 min).
- Taste and season more if needed. Serve!
Exercise of the Month
Double Knees To Chest
(Lower Back, Hips)
Start on your back with your knees bent. Slowly bring both knees to your chest. Grasp your knees. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat. 1 Set, 3 Reps
“Both times I received excellent care and therapy.“
“This is my second time using Kintsugi. First for back spasms 4-years ago and hip pain this most recent time. Both times I received excellent care and therapy. Kintsugi staff are the best and I highly recommend them. Jennifer and Roman were very attentive to my needs. Thank you for fixing me.”
