Living with Posture-Related Pain?
Take the first step toward relief.
Overview
More than 31 million people have postural issues that affect the way they move and go about their day. Poor posture can cause pain and decrease your flexibility, mobility, and balance.
Common Symptoms of Postural Pain (Postural Syndrome)
Postural syndrome is a condition of the lumbar and cervical spine resulting from sustained poor posture. The most common symptoms of postural pain are:
- Rounded shoulders
- Low back pain
- Aches and pains in the head, neck and shoulders
- Headaches
- Pain in the hips and legs
- Pain when sitting or standing for prolonged time
- Pain normally subsides when movement begins
- Joint degeneration
Is Your Postural Pain Chronic Pain?
Doctors categorize pain in these three ways:
- Acute postural syndrome/postural pain: this is pain which comes on suddenly and usually lasts a few days to a few weeks
- Subacute postural syndrome/postural pain: this type of pain can appear suddenly or over time, and typically lasts 4 to 12 weeks (about 3 months)
- Chronic postural syndrome/postural pain may come on quickly or slowly, lasts longer than 12-weeks, and occurs daily – to the point of disrupting your life
Chiropractic care is effective for treating pain at all stages – acute, subacute, and even chronic pain.
Common Causes
Common Causes of Postural Pain
Common causes of postural pain include:
- Stiffness in your joints, or poor mobility (particularly of the neck, upper back or hips)
- Poor core stability
- Weak or tight muscles
- Spinal imbalances such as forward head carriage, which increase pressure on the spine
Improper posture can not only result from muscle weakness and joint stiffness; it can also cause muscles to become weakened or tense, exacerbating poor posture and creating an ongoing cycle of pain.
Risk Factors
Common Risk Factors for Postural Pain
Poor posture doesn’t just refer to standing up straight. Improper posture includes any unnecessary strain caused by the positioning of your body. There are several factors that can put you at risk for experiencing postural syndrome or posture-related pain.
Extended sitting or standing with poor posture
Lack of activity/a sedentary lifestyle, which can weaken muscles and limit mobility
Improper ergonomics (slouching or hunching, holding yourself in improper posture while carrying out tasks)
Extensive phone or laptop use leading to “Tech Neck”
When to Seek Treatment
When to Seek Treatment for Postural Pain
Without addressing underlying issues that cause poor posture, postural pain is unlikely to resolve on its own. Symptoms like the ones below could be Upper Crossed Syndrome, a posture-related condition where the muscles of the shoulders, neck, and chest do not work together as they should, and seem to group in the shape of an X. Consult a doctor if your pain is intense or your notice:
- Discomfort while sitting, using the computer, or watching TV
- Difficulty driving because of muscle tightness or pain
- Low back pain
- Soreness around the shoulder blades
- Tight or painful neck muscles
At Chiro One, we don’t believe anyone should have to live with pain. If posture-related pain is disrupting your life, chiropractic care from Chiro One can help. Learn more about how we diagnose pain, and what to expect at your first chiropractic appointments.
Tips for Preventing Postural Pain
Many people aren’t aware of what good posture should feel like. Your chiropractor can help you identify what proper posture looks and feels like for your body, and help you build postural awareness.
Bring your attention to your neck. Consciously release stress and tension and, breathing deeply, gently bring your neck back to its naturally lengthened place.
If you work on a computer, make sure your screen is at eye level or above, and that your feet can rest comfortably on the floor or a footrest. It’s also worthwhile to invest in a good chair that supports your head and lower back.
When standing, keep your shoulders back and relaxed, your abdomen pulled in, and your weight balanced on both feet. Your feet should be about hip-width apart, knees relaxed, head directly over your spine. When sitting, be mindful of slouching, and don’t hunch your shoulders – relax the muscles and consciously bring your shoulders down and away from your ears.
Slow, deep, rhythmic breathing can help develop physical awareness and help you practice good postural alignment.
Strengthen parts of the body that contribute to good posture – especially your core/abdominal muscles.
“I am grateful for my experience at Chiro One... I was considering finding a chiropractor due to tension/discomfort in my upper back and shoulders...I spend a lot of time seated at a desk... it feels more natural to maintain better posture and my new orthotics help me sustain a better posture as I stand and walk...”
– Lisa T.
Find Relief with Help from Chiro One
Chiro One’s gentle chiropractic care delivers strong patient outcomes with exceptional levels of patient satisfaction. Here’s how Chiro One’s non-surgical, drug-free approach effectively treats the leading causes of postural pain:
Thorough Upfront Evaluations
To assess your physical health, understand your daily routine and goals
Gentle Chiropractic Adjustments
To relieve pain and improve joint mobility and function
In-Clinic Therapies
To help you build strength, improve your range of motion, flexibility and balance, anddevelop muscle memory for longer lasting results
Get Started with our $20 New Patient Offer
Take the first step toward relief.
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Postural Pain & Chiropractic Care
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