Have you ever noticed your posture at the end of a long day? Are you slouching with your shoulders forward and hunching over your computer screen? If the answer is yes, the dull aches and pains you feel in your neck and back are likely connected to your posture. The good news is that although poor posture can be quite unflattering (and uncomfortable!), it can also be improved.
A physical therapist can help you correct your posture and lessen the severity of your corresponding aches and pains. If you’re ready to begin working towards a life that isn’t interrupted daily by pain, contact Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy in Broomall, PA today to learn more about your available treatment options.
Does exercising even help my posture?
Even if you exercise regularly, you may have a few weak muscles contributing to your poor posture without your knowledge. The muscles in your shoulders, back, abdomen, buttocks, and pelvic floor play an essential role in your stance. If one of these is weak, your core will be affected, and your posture may suffer.
Your body requires a highly specific alignment to maintain proper movement of the muscles, breathing, and blood circulation. If poor posture persists, it can eventually lead to chronic conditions as you age.
Why does posture get worse over time?
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, “posture is the alignment and positioning of the body in relation to gravity, the center of mass, or base of support.” In simpler terms, your posture is how you hold your body.
Poor posture places excessive strain on your joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It also can damage many of the core muscles that are needed to keep you upright and healthy. Postural changes happen over time, throughout the years, or even decades.
Though there is sometimes an unfair stigma related to poor posture, know that you shouldn’t feel embarrassed for having postural issues. Very few people have perfect postures. Most people’s postures naturally decline with age and through everyday bad posture habits like inactivity and slouching.
Improper posture isn’t a result of laziness or apathy either. Instead, it generally has something to do with a physical weakness within our bodies. We slouch and slump when we feel drained because our bodies (quite literally) get tired of holding us up.
Why should I choose to start therapy to improve my posture?
Physical therapy can help you improve your posture significantly. Our physical therapists are movement experts who will be invaluable to you as you work toward your physical performance goals. They can aid in the improvement of your balance, stability, flexibility, and mobility, all of which will enhance your posture.
Your physical therapist will undertake functional testing during your initial evaluation to determine which weakened regions of your body are causing your pain. After that, they’ll come up with a treatment plan that’s suited to your individual needs.
Treatment plans typically include manual therapy and targeted exercises to alleviate pain and regain proper function. In a study published by the National Institutes of Health, exercise for postural improvement was proven to be successful, both in enhancing posture and lessening pain among patients.
What is aquatic therapy?
Aquatic therapy is a type of treatment that takes place in water, usually in a clinic pool. A physical therapist will usually start an aquatic treatment session by directing their patients through low-resistance exercises to warm up the body while strengthening various muscle groups.
A physical therapist can help with postural correction by performing exercises that focus on spine stabilization, muscle strengthening, and balance training.
One excellent aspect of aquatic therapy is that it is highly accessible to anyone, regardless of individual fitness level. Activities and exercises that might be highly uncomfortable for you to perform on land become much less strenuous when your body is supported by water.
A few of the many benefits of aquatic therapy include:
- Assisting with locomotion and gait
- Improving flexibility, balance, and coordination
- Strength training and promoting endurance
- Assisting with gait and locomotion
- Reducing stress, promoting pain relief, and easing depression
Aquatic therapy can help you say goodbye to chronic pain and hello to great posture!
Find out why physical and aquatic therapy are some of the most effective ways to address posture issues and corresponding back pain.
Our therapists are ready to help you meet your health and wellness goals. Contact our office today to schedule an evaluation and learn how physical therapy can help make your “posture perfect!”
