While sitting or standing, the way you position your body can affect your health and movement. Maintaining proper posture can look pleasing and protect your body structures from unnecessary strain.
Your musculoskeletal system maintains your posture and keeps you stable and upright. Unfortunately, many don’t think about proper posture when doing daily activities.
What You Should Know About Posture
Your posture has long-term effects on your health and ability to move. Your age, height, weight, hobbies, and activities all affect it. Your surroundings can also become a factor in how you position yourself.
There are two types of posture – static and dynamic. Static posture is when you’re staying still, like sitting in front of a computer or sleeping in bed. Dynamic posture includes movements like walking, running, and playing sports. Observing proper posture is critical for the performance and health of athletes.
Postural problems can develop over time and affect your health. Poor posture strains and stresses the muscles, bones, and tissues responsible for keeping you upright. It can weaken your joints and bones, causing acute and chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain. Poor posture may also cause hyperkyphosis, scoliosis, and other spinal conditions.
How Physical Therapists Can Help
Lifestyle changes and proper posture practice help avoid the negative impacts of poor posture on health and mobility. Physical therapy is also an excellent treatment method to improve posture, particularly in severe cases.
Physical therapists can help improve your physical function, mobility, and health conditions. Physical therapy can strengthen your muscles, joints, and other body parts. It can improve your ability to move and decrease the risk of injury and health conditions.
Strength, balance, and flexibility are strong foundations of good posture. Physical therapists can help you build and strengthen muscles and bones with various exercises and stretches to support the musculoskeletal system, thus also improving posture as a result.
As experts, they also play a vital role in educating you on how to take care of your body. That includes learning the proper posture for all your daily activities, including sitting, standing, walking, sleeping, and more.
Physical Therapy for Better Posture
Now is the best time to start refining your posture. It can play a vital role in your long-term health. It’s never too late or early to begin correcting your poor posture.
Talking to a physical therapist can help you learn what to correct and how to do it. Here are some exercises that a physical therapist may recommend.
Stretching Exercises
Stretching can increase mobility and ease muscle and joint strain. These exercises improve blood circulation, addressing posture problems that cause body pain.
The cat-cow exercise stretches your spine and back muscles. You can also target your upper back and neck muscles that are tense from hunching and sitting.
Your therapist may recommend different exercises depending on your needs.
Strengthening Exercises
Your muscles, bones, joints, and ligaments keep you stable. Core muscles, in particular, help keep your balance and maintain proper posture. Poor posture can often lead to weakened and strained muscles. At the same time, weak muscles can contribute to poor posture.
Strengthening exercises can train and build the musculoskeletal system. Bridges can target your core and back, while shoulder blade squeezes work on your upper back. Many different exercises can strengthen your various muscle groups and refine your posture.
Physical Therapy for Posture Correction in Austin, TX
Posture is a vital part of your everyday activities that you might not even think about. Poor posture can negatively impact your health and ability to move. Fortunately, it’s never too late to become aware of your posture and improve it. Physical therapists can recommend stretching and strengthening exercises designed to improve posture. With better posture, you will find yourself pain-free and moving better.
If you’re looking for a physical therapy clinic to help improve your posture, come see us at Endeavor Physical Therapy. Our expert therapists provide quality physical, occupational, and hand therapy services. We offer treatment for conditions affecting the shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and more.
We have physical therapy clinics in Manor, Kyle, Hutto, Cedar Park, Bee Cave, San Marcos, Austin, Pflugerville, and Round Rock. Schedule an appointment with a PT near you by calling us at (512) 886-7110 or through our online appointment form. We look forward to helping you achieve better mobility, function, and quality of life with our specialized services!
