Do you know the effects of poor posture? Understand why fixing posture problems is a must and how seeing a chiropractor could help.
Do you have problems regarding your posture? Do you simply brush them aside and hope that the pain and discomfort will go away naturally?
Believe it or not, ignoring discomfort caused by poor posture can lead to more serious concerns. That back discomfort or pain on your tailbone area is a possible sign of a more serious condition.
Thankfully, there are ways of fixing posture problems. But it requires a joint effort between you and your chiropractor.
Keep on reading below as we tackle the negative effects of poor posture. We will also discuss the importance of seeing a chiropractor the soonest possible time.
Effects of Poor Posture
You often see people complain of aching backs and muscles. Now there are many different causes for pain and discomfort. But sometimes, it a simple thing like poor posture is the main culprit.
Let’s take a look at some of the typical effects of poor posture.
1. Back Pain
Over 3.7 million Australians complain of back problems. That is roughly 1 out of every 6 people. Moreover, back pain is also the third leading cause of disease burden in the country.
If we look deeper into the nature of back pains, it involves different kinds of conditions. These conditions can affect the bones, joints, and muscles of your back. You may also feel the effects on connective tissues and nerves too.
People suffering from back pains often comment about pain in the middle, the lower, and the upper portion. Sometimes, there is numbness and tingling of the legs.
In some cases, the back pain goes up to the neck area. Some even complain of a stiff neck.
2. Spinal Curve
When we talk of your spine, there are three important curves that keep your body upright. There is one in your lower back, one in your mid to upper back, and one in your neck.
If you always hunch, your posture can disrupt the natural curves of your spine. Disruption can also take place when you frequently just your head forward. This translates into the straightening of your neck curve.
If you allow your curves to lose their natural positions, you will likely experience different kinds of discomfort. When that happens, you need to correct your posture with the help of a chiropractor.
3. Body Pain
Do you love working out in the gym? Then better make sure you maintain proper posture. Poor posture puts your body at risk of injuries.
Incorrect posture can cause your spine to misalign. In turn, this will result in the pulling of different muscles of the body. Some of your muscles will overwork while some will fail to do their jobs properly.
Such imbalances can lead to different kinds of injuries and body pain.
The same thing goes for athletes. Poor posture can lead to chronic injuries that hamper performance. One good example is shoulder impingement. This injury happens when the space in your shoulder joint decreases.
This decrease in space will pinch at least one of your tendons that naturally pass through it. Poor posture contributes to the lessening of this space.
When you slouch on your desk for extended periods of time, your chest muscles tighten. Moreover, your upper back muscles become weak. All of these eventually lead to shoulder impingement.
Fixing Posture and What Your Chiropractor Can Do
Luckily for you, there are ways to address the matter. You need to start by fixing your body posture. Though there are steps you can do by yourself, it is best if you still visit a chiropractor in order to cover all bases.
Here are some of the things you can expect from your chiropractor:
1. Thorough Examination
First, your chiropractor will give you’re a thorough and comprehensive examination. He will look closely into your case history.
This juncture is very crucial. This is the time when you need to tell your chiropractor everything. He will ask you questions concerning the pain you are feeling.
He will ask you about past events that contributed to your current condition. He will also analyse the way you walk, sit, and perform other tasks. He will determine if you have any postural imbalance.
Expect to undergo tests regarding your mobility and flexibility.
2. Chiropractic Adjustment
After carefully assessing your condition, the chiropractor will come up with a treatment plan. This plan aims to correct your posture through the chiropractic adjustment.
A chiropractic adjustment involves gently manipulating key areas of your joints. The chiropractor will instruct you to lie comfortably. He will then induce a movement that aims to immobile the joints that cause nerve interference.
The main goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to reduce the irritability on your nerves. It also aims to increase your range of motion. By the end of the session, you should start to experience improvement in terms of function on the problematic areas.
Doing Your Part
As we mentioned earlier, you should also do your part in correcting your posture. Here are some effective ways to do so:
1. Avoid Slouching
Slouching only adds pressure to your spine. When you put stress on your spine, it strains your bones, joints, and muscles. Keep your back straight at all times.
2. Stand Straight
When standing, make sure you stand straight. Stand up tall as if you are measuring your height against a wall. Keep your head straight while tucking your chin.
As for your ears, make sure they are over the middle of your shoulder. Moreover, make sure that your knees are straight while tucking your belly.
3. Close to the Wheel
Do you drive your car every day? As much as it is comfortable to recline your seat, it will not do your posture any good. Instead, adjust your seat and move closer to the steering wheel.
You also need to slightly bend your knees without locking your legs. Keep your knees at hip level or a little bit above. You can also throw in a pillow to add cushioning to your back.
Let’s Correct Your Posture, Today!
Now that you know how improper posture negatively affects your body, it is time to take the necessary steps to end all the pain. If fixing posture problems is a struggle for you, then let us help you go through the whole ordeal.
Give us a call or schedule an appointment online. Tell us about your concerns and let’s address it them the right way.
Let`s correct your posture and improve your quality of life, today!
