Many people visiting our chiropractic clinic in Stoke on Trent suffer from back pain or neck pain relating to poor posture. Our approach to treating these patients is twofold. We start by correcting the physical problems caused by the client’s poor posture — a process that usually involves chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy.
The second step is identifying any lifestyle factors which are causing the client’s poor posture. By correcting the root cause of their postural issues, we can ensure that their musculoskeletal system remains healthy in the long run.
In this article, I’ll explain why posture is important before sharing the 6 most common causes of poor posture. This will help you identify any life style factors that might be affecting your posture and the health of your musculoskeletal system.
To learn more about the causes of poor posture or book a consultation, contact City Chiropractic Clinic. Our team of Stoke chiropractors are here to help you. We can be reached on 01782 848 184. You can also continue reading to learn the common causes of poor posture.
Why is good posture so important?
Posture is how you position your body when standing, sitting, or laying down. Some of the advantages of good posture includes that it:
- Avoids any abnormal wear on your joints
- Prevents the spine from becoming abnormally aligned
- Puts less stress on the ligaments that keep your spine aligned
- Can help you avoid muscle strain
- Avoids fatigue as you are using your muscles very efficiently
- Reduces the risk of chronic diseases like arthritis
- Prevents back pain
- Keeps you looking fit and healthy
Poor posture is positioning yourself in an unnatural way that places additional strain on your muscles and ligaments. For example, when you slump in front of the computer, you may feel relaxed at first, but your shoulders will be hunched over and your neck will be stooped. If you stay in this position for too long, you may begin to experience a sore neck, lower back pain, and tense shoulder muscles.
If you often sit, stand, or lay down with poor posture, it may eventually cause:
- Certain muscles to change in length, either become short and tense or long and weak.
- A higher risk of chronic diseases like arthritis and the worsening of arthritis symptoms
- Poor circulation
- Forward head posture and stooped shoulders
- Jaw pain
- A decline in breathing efficiency
- Shoulder and back pain
- Headaches
- Sleep problems and fatigue
Researchers have even discovered that poor posture may affect your mood and increase the risk of depression.
Most common causes of poor posture
The most common reasons why clients visiting our chiropractic clinic in Stoke on Trent suffer from poor posture include:
Use of technology
Modern technology has transformed how we live our lives. Unfortunately, some of the changes brought about by technology have made us less healthy. Over-use of technology like mobile phones, televisions, computers, and tablets is particularly concerning as it can worsen your posture in a number of ways.
If you text on your phone often, you may develop “text neck” — a condition caused by flexing your neck forward too often. If you sit on the couch watching television for many hours each day, you may develop stooped shoulders and lower back problems. If you often sit in a chair without ergonomic support, your posture may eventually worsen.
Muscle tension or muscle weakness
If you have certain muscles that are much stronger or much weaker than others, it can encourage poor posture. For example, if your abdominal muscles are weak from an insufficient amount of exercise, you may come to rely on back muscles for stability, leading to back pain. The solution to this common problem is a robust exercise regime that works out all of the major muscle groups.
Injury
If you have suffered from an injury, some of the muscles around the injury site may spasm to protect the part of your body that is vulnerable. This is a normal physiological response designed to keep the injured part of your body stable. Unfortunately, the muscles that are spasming frequently can eventually weaken, which results in a muscular imbalance that may affect your posture.
Poor footwear
If you wear shoes that are poorly fitted, your gait may be adversely affected. It may cause you to walk in an unusual way, placing undue strain on your ankles, hips, or knees. This can eventually lead to poor posture.
A sedentary lifestyle
Spending too long sitting each day can be very detrimental to your posture. If you are forced to spend many hours sitting down each day at work or school, do your best to spend the rest of your day moving about.
Stress and anxiety
Researchers have discovered that being in a stressed or anxious state can change how a person uses their body. Stressed and anxious people tend to take shallower breaths and have more contracted muscles. Unfortunately this can lead to poor posture.
Our chiropractors at City Chiropractic Clinic in Stoke on Trent are here to help you. For more information on developing good posture, contact City Chiropractic Clinic we can be reached on 01782 848 184 or you can book an appointment online.