Poor posture can be caused by a number of factors, including weak core muscles, tight muscles, incorrect body mechanics, poor ergonomics, and psychological factors such as stress and anxiety. Other causes include carrying excess weight, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions. Poor posture can also be caused by aging, as the body's muscles and ligaments become less flexible.
1. Strengthen Core Muscles: Strengthening the muscles in your core can help improve your posture and reduce back pain. Exercises such as planks, bridges and abdominal crunches can help strengthen these muscles.
2. Stretch Muscles: Stretching tight muscles can help improve your posture. Ask your physical therapist to recommend stretches that can help improve your posture.
3. Postural Retraining: Postural retraining is a technique used by physical therapists to help you develop better posture habits. Postural retraining exercises focus on improving your posture by teaching you to sit, stand and move in a way that promotes better posture.
4. Postural Education: Your physical therapist can also provide you with education about how to maintain good posture. This may include recommendations for better posture when sitting, standing, or lifting.
5. Posture Bracing: Your physical therapist may recommend using a posture brace to help you maintain better posture. The brace works by providing a reminder to maintain the correct posture.
It is best to schedule a physical therapy as soon as possible to address poor posture. Poor posture can lead to a variety of health issues listed below, including back pain, neck pain, and headaches. A physical therapist can help identify the cause of the poor posture and develop a personalized PT plan to correct it as soon as possible.
Here are 10 top conditions that a poor posture may cause or contribute to:
1. Headaches
2. Neck and shoulder pain
3. Upper back pain
4. Low back pain
5. Poor circulation
6. Digestive problems
7. Breathing difficulties
8. Joint pain
9. Muscle tension
10. Fatigue