Free Yourself from Postural Pain and Disorders
At Dr. Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, our experienced practitioners provide postural pain and disorders physical therapy through our comprehensive postural training program. Unlike treatments that only mask symptoms, our therapy targets the root cause of your dysfunction to restore your strength and mobility effectively. We take pride in our team of experienced physical therapists trained in posture correction and committed to helping you achieve pain relief and optimal function.
Symptoms and Types of Poor Posture
Good posture keeps your spine in a neutral position, keeping your muscles, joints, and ligaments aligned without placing stress on them. Since bodies come in all shapes and sizes, good posture may not look the same for everyone, but some common, recognizable characteristics exist.
Similarly, there are several common posture problems. Types of bad posture include:
- Kyphosis, sometimes called “hunchback,” where your shoulders are rounded forward.
- Forward head posture, where your head is too far forward instead of aligned over your spine. This is sometimes called “tech neck” since it’s associated with using phones and computers.
- Swayback, which is when your lower back curves inward too much.
- Flatback, where the spine lacks a healthy curvature.
Poor posture and slouching often cause symptoms like back pain, neck pain, headaches, muscle and joint strain, and increased risk of injury. The longer posture goes uncorrected, the more problems and damage it may cause.
Just as posture can affect our body and well-being in many ways, many things can affect our posture. Postural pain and disorders can arise from a variety of factors, including:
- Poor posture habits: Consistently standing, sitting, or lying in unnatural or uncomfortable positions can strain your muscles, joints, and spine.
- Muscle imbalances: Weak or tight muscles can create imbalances that throw off your alignment and place undue stress on certain parts of your body.
- Injury or trauma: Accidents or sports injuries can lead to postural problems by affecting the alignment of bones, muscles, and joints.
- Congenital conditions: Some people are born with structural abnormalities that cause postural problems. For example, being born with one leg longer than the other can offset your alignment and lead to posture problems.
- Medical conditions: Certain conditions, such as scoliosis, osteoporosis, or arthritis, can contribute to postural pain and disorders.
- Poor ergonomics: Repetitive or prolonged activities in work or daily life can cause postural pain if proper ergonomics are not followed. For example, using a computer or carrying heavy loads may strain the neck, shoulders, and back.
- Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety, and depression can cause muscle tension and affect posture, leading to postural pain.
How to Fix Posture With Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is often the most effective solution for poor posture and resulting pain or dysfunction. During your initial appointment, our highly-trained physical therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to assess your postural dysfunctions, asymmetrical adaptations, and any interferences in your polyarticular chain that may be causing accompanying symptoms.
We will create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs to restore your posture and improve your overall well-being. The techniques and treatments your therapist uses depend on the type and cause of your postural problems.
In the case of muscle imbalances, your therapy will likely focus on exercises to strengthen key muscles, which is often a part of mobility and balance PT. If poor posture habits or ergonomics are the problem, we can help you learn new habits and change how you sit, stand, and exercise to avoid muscle strain. For patients struggling with stress and muscle tension, we may utilize cupping and manual therapy to relax the muscles.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Posture
Many people are unaware of how their posture affects their daily life. They may be living with frequent back pain, headaches, or even a pinched nerve and not realize poor posture is to blame. Improving your posture can have many benefits, including:
- Reduced pain in your head, neck, back, and shoulders
- Lower risk of injury
- Less fatigue or discomfort when walking or standing
- Improved mobility and balance
- Reduced muscle tension
- Helps prevent arthritis
If a postural disorder is causing you discomfort and restricting your activity, physical therapy can help. We’ll help you stand tall and face each day pain-free with your head held high!
Take the Next Step
Interested in Physical Therapy (PT) to correct posture? At Megan Mullin Physical Therapy, our mission is to help you optimize your health and fitness for strong, pain-free living. Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment with a physical therapist in Woodstock, NY, or San Luis Obispo, CA. We also offer virtual appointments for some PT services.
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