Poor Posture

What is Poor Posture?

Typically, a poor posture is described as rounded shoulders, head that is positioned forward,
protruding belly, and knees bent when standing and/or walking.

When poor postures are maintained for long periods of time, it can cause excessive stretching
and weakness in the muscles that are located on your back, while the muscles over the chest
and front of the neck get contracted, shortened, and tight. The muscles which get stretched
and weak are typically the thoracic spine erector spinae, rhomboids, upper trapezius, and
levator scapulae. While the deep neck flexors and pectoralis muscles at the front of the chest
get shortened and tight.

Due to poor posture, some people can start to develop neck pain, back pain, muscle fatigue,
and/or headaches.

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Causes of Poor Posture

Poor postures don’t just arise overnight. It typically occurs over months or years of poor habits
and improper ergonomics. Listed below are some of the more common reasons why people
start to develop poor postures over time.

• Sitting in front of a computer for work or video games for a prolonged period.

• Slouching on the couch for a prolonged period.

• Looking down at your phone for long periods of time.

• Carrying heavy objects for long periods of time (such as work equipment, backpacks, or purses).

• Maintaining the same position for long periods of time.

• Sedentary lifestyle.

• Improper ergonomics.

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How can Chiropractors in Georgetown, Ontario Help Improve your Poor Posture?

Chiropractors are commonly known as the spine doctors or the experts in musculoskeletal
conditions. Poor postures can affect the musculoskeletal system in many ways, including but
not limited to tight musculature, neck and back pain, headaches, and more. Chiropractors can

use many different non-invasive manual therapy approaches to help with poor postures and
the effects that come with it. Listed below are the various treatment techniques Chiropractors
in Georgetown, Ontario can use to help improve poor postures and alleviate any pain or
discomfort that comes along with it:

• Spinal Manipulative Therapy – to help alleviate joint restrictions and discomfort and improve spinal mobility which may be limited due to poor postures.

• Spinal Mobilizations – to improve spinal mobility.

• Soft Tissue Release Techniques – to help loosen up the stiff and tight muscles caused by poor postures.

• Prescribe Stretching and Strengthening Exercises – to correct muscle imbalances caused by poor posture and prevent it from coming back.

• Provide Ergonomic Advice – chiropractors can assess your workstation set up to provide recommendations on how your workstation can be improved to help support a better posture.

• Provide Posture Education – which can aid with performing daily activities with a better posture.

• Use of Modalities

  • Vibration Therapy – to help relax tight muscles.

  • Cupping Therapy – to reduce muscle tightness.

  • Kinesiology Taping – to provide proprioceptive information and mechanical support to muscles which assist the muscles in maintaining correct postures.

 

A good rule of thumb to remember is a correct posture is a changing posture. To avoid
developing a poor posture, it is recommended to change your posture every 30 minutes to 1
hour to avoid staying in the same posture for long periods of time and developing a poor
posture over time.

 

If you or someone else you know has or is developing a poor posture, schedule your
appointment now with a Chiropractor in Georgetown, Ontario to see how chiropractic care can be of benefit for you and your posture!

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Article by: Dr. Mital Panchal