Physiotherapy-A Little Known Answer to Poor Posture
Physiotherapy is known to improve a vast range of conditions and injuries, including neck and lower back pain, balance and co-ordination, maintenance of functional mobility and post-operative rehabilitation, to name a few. What may be lesser known is that physiotherapy can be used to improve poor posture and subsequently relieve the associated pain.
To be clear about this issue, it is worthwhile examining what is commonly understood by the term 'posture'. The dictionary definition is 'a position of the body' so it does not necessarily mean exclusively having a ram-rod straight back. Posture can also refer to the position of the body when seated at a computer or on a couch, slumped in a chair, or when standing.
Photos are a Useful Self-assessment Tool
It is difficult to watch ourselves move around, sit or stand and to see what our posture is like in different circumstances over a period of time. When someone suspects that their posture is causing pain, it is useful to have someone either take a photo or a short movie of them when they are doing normal activities. They will then be able to get a true picture of what they look like in certain positions. Awareness of a problem is always the first step towards solving it.
Physio on Brunswick has qualified physiotherapists available to assist clients with posture-related problems. Poor posture is relatively common and causes pain without significant damage to tissue. This pain is only present when a particular activity places sustained stress on normal tissue. When the activity ceases, the pain subsides.
Does Poor Posture Cause Pain?
Adopting poor posture over a long period of time will cause prolonged pain. It can occur in any position, that is, sitting, standing or lying down, and it usually presents as a dull ache or a burning sensation. Once this posture is corrected, most patients experience no further pain of this nature. The first step in alleviating that pain is to be assessed by a Brisbane physio who will diagnose the problem and start therapy. Subsequent sessions are for a standard 30 minutes.
The physiotherapist will question the patient to establish the causal factors, which can include a sedentary lifestyle, poor core stability, muscle weakness, performing large amounts of bending, lifting, slouching or sitting and a lack of general fitness.
The trained staff at Physio on Brunswick will work with the patient to design suitable exercises or to use appropriate equipment to assist recovery in a safe and monitored environment.
Poor posture that persists over the years will not only cause prolonged and uncomfortable pain but can result in the patient becoming so accustomed to a particular position, for example, slouched shoulders, that this becomes their natural stance. This is not only painful but unattractive. If you believe you need help to correct a posture problem, go to physioonbrunswick.com.au for their contact details.
