Did you know that a longitudinal study found that 3% of all emergency room visits between the years of 2004-2008 were due to back pain or injury? The most commonly reported area of pain is the back, which isn’t surprising considering the number of people who experience issues with it. Approximately 25 million people across the United States suffer from chronic pain, and many of those people experience pain in their back. This can be extremely limiting, as it can affect how one performs their day-to-day tasks and may hinder them from participating in activities they love. Fortunately, physical therapy can help improve your posture and correct the back pain that you are experiencing. To learn more about how our services can benefit you, contact Canyon Sports Therapy today.
Why don’t I have proper posture?
Poor posture isn’t anything to be embarrassed about – very few people have perfect posture, and most people partake in bad posture habits in one way or another. We become so wrapped up in whatever tasks we are doing that we forget to think about the way our bodies are positioned. Maybe you’re completing a project at work, it’s the end of the day, you’re tired, and you’re slouched sideways in your desk chair with one eye on the monitor and the other on the clock. This position isn’t normal for your body, but you are getting in the position most efficient for you to type up the rest of that file and then zoom out the door.
Poor posture isn’t due to laziness or apathy; rather, it generally has something to do with a physical weakness within our bodies. We slouch, slump, hunch, and droop over when we get feel drained because our bodies literally get tired of holding us up.
Even if you exercise regularly, it is possible that there are still a few weak muscles contributing to your posture that you may not even realize. The muscles in your shoulders, back, abdomen, buttocks, and pelvic floor all play an important role in your posture. If even one of these is weak, your core will be affected, and your posture may suffer.
Why is my back bothering me?
If you are suffering from persistent back pain, there is a good chance it is due to your posture. Poor posture is one of the most common causes of back pain. Do you slouch at your desk? Do you lean forward to read emails? Do you hunch over your keyboard? These are all things that people do subconsciously, without even realizing the toll it takes on the body.
Your posture affects how your body moves – whether you’re sitting, standing, walking, running, jumping, or performing pretty much any other task throughout the day. Your posture may also change depending on what you are doing – perhaps your posture when you stand is perfect, but when you sit at a desk or lay down, your body begins to hunch and fold in ways that it is simply not supposed to.
Enhance your posture with physical therapy:
If your posture is causing your back pain, physical therapy can help. Our licensed physical therapists are movement experts who are fully equipped in helping enhance the mobility, balance, flexibility, and stability of their patients – all aspects that contribute to posture.
When you arrive for your initial evaluation, your physical therapist will conduct a physical examination, which may include functional testing and diagnostic imaging to determine the root of your pain. This will also help determine which areas are in need of treatment, which will help your physical therapist when constructing your treatment plan. Your treatment plan will be designed specifically for you, in order to help you relieve your pain, improve your strength, and enhance your posture as quickly as possible.
Don’t settle for poor posture or back pain any longer. Contact us Canyon Sports Therapy today to schedule a consultation with one of our dedicated physical therapists and get on the road toward recovery and an improved quality of life!
