POSTURE RELATED PAIN
With our increased use of technology and longer hours working in sedentary jobs, posture related pain is on the rise.
Postural pain is caused by maintaining static positions for prolonged periods of time, such as sitting, standing and driving. The pain may be described as a nagging ache that increases as the position is maintained and is relieved by moving. It can affect many areas of the body.
Why is good posture important?
Postural pain can seem quite mild but if left unaddressed can progress to more serious issues such as shoulder impingement, headaches, arm pain, pins and needles or numbness in the hands.
Sustained postures put some muscle groups into position where they can’t contract properly and other muscles groups into an overactive state where they fatigue and can’t relax. This leads to tight and painful knots (trigger points), muscle strength imbalances and pain. Awkward postures put undue stress on ligaments, joints and discs which can lead to stiffness, poor stability and more pain.
How is Postural Pain treated?
There are a variety of ways your physiotherapist can help you to manage the symptoms and causes of postural pain. Your physiotherapy management may include:
- Education around your ideal posture, and how frequently you should change positions
- Advice on how to set-up you work station for optimal ergonomics
- Specific stretches and postural correction exercises
- Massage and/or dry needling to address muscle tension
- Joint mobilisation to improve the mobility of painful neck and back joints
- Clinical Pilates
- Recommendations to use lumbar rolls, massage balls, foam rollers.
Book an initial assessment with your physiotherapist to discuss the best strategies you can adopt to achieve optimal posture.
