Postural Disorder
Posture is the position of a person’s body when standing, sitting, or lying down. Good posture allows us to sit, stand, walk or lie in positions where the least amount of strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments throughout the body during movement or weight-bearing activities. Several factors contribute to poor posture-most commonly, habits of sitting or standing in certain positions, stress, obesity, pregnancy, weak postural muscles, abnormally tight muscles, and high-heeled shoes. In addition, decreased flexibility, a poor work environment, incorrect working posture, and lack of stretching and strengthening activities. There are four types of postural alignment that deviate from the ideal.
They are known as Kyphosis, Lordosis, Sway Back and Flat Back. Posture problems occur due to the fact that a correct and straight spine is commonly kept in its correct anatomical position by the muscles surrounding it, get imbalanced. If any of these muscle are too weak or to strong your spinal column will be pulled out offline, leading to poor posture. These posture problems can be triggered and exaggerated by genetic factors or by simple environmental factors such as repetitive physical activity like sitting, doing sports, working or even with just sleeping. To have a correct posture we need to continually be conscious of our posture, Problems gait and stance as we do effective posture exercises and treatments.
How can the physical therapist help?
A physical therapist can first and foremost identify that there’s a problem with your posture. Typically with poor posture, back pain or other body aches typically come along for the ride, which is the primary thing a physical therapist can help with. With extensive traction and exercise, you can strengthen those muscles that have been weakened by a poor posture and give your body a new chance to realign itself. Spine health is so important for long-term health and overall well-being and a physical therapist can help you correct your posture and improve your well being.