How To Fix Improper Posture for Back and Neck Pain Relief
“Stand up straight!” has been a refrain from parents throughout the ages, but is it really that important? Actually – yes, it is!
Many people assume maintaining proper posture is about appearance: looking tall and confident. In reality, improper posture can cause pain in your neck and upper back and put pressure on your spine, leading to an increased injury risk.
But what exactly is proper posture? It probably won’t surprise you to learn that it’s more complicated than merely standing up straight. Instead, it’s more about finding the right spinal alignment for your body – and that’s something the physical therapists at iMove PT can help you with!
If you’re struggling with persistent neck or back pain, it may be time to visit us for a postural assessment. We’ll help pinpoint any impairments or imbalances in your spine that might be causing problems and then provide strategies for maintaining your postural alignment throughout the day. Call us to schedule an appointment for your initial consultation!
Understanding Proper Posture: Movement and Awareness is Key
Let’s get this out of the way first: There’s no universal “ideal posture” that will work for everyone. Even common advice like “stand up straight” isn’t particularly helpful: for one, no one’s spine is ever perfectly straight since it has a natural curve pattern. For another, you don’t spend your entire life standing still.
Rather than aiming for a non-existent “perfect” posture, you want to focus on two things:
- Avoid Prolonged Postures: Your body wants to move. Holding the same posture for extended periods (even if you’re sitting up straight and have everything in alignment) is still going to cause problems! Rather than aiming for a “perfect” posture, make sure to change your positions throughout the day. Alternate between sitting and standing. Switch positions. Get up and move around. In short – try to stay as active as possible.
- Postural Awareness: People don’t set out to have bad posture. You might start the day telling yourself you’re not going to slouch – but then, as you get busy with other tasks, posture becomes the last thing on your mind. By staying more aware of your posture, you can more easily adapt to the various positions you have to hold throughout the day.
Our Mobile Physical Therapy Services
At iMove PT, we offer a comprehensive range of mobile physical therapy services designed to cater to your unique needs. Our expertise spans orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, neurological rehabilitation, geriatric physical therapy, and pre and post-surgical rehabilitation. By providing targeted, specialized care, we ensure that our clients receive the most effective treatment and support throughout their recovery journey. Our mobile services bring this personalized approach directly to your doorstep, making your physical therapy experience more convenient and accessible than ever before. We understand that every client’s journey to recovery is unique, which is why we prioritize personalized treatment plans, skilled and licensed therapists, flexible scheduling, and ongoing support. At iMove PT, our commitment to your well-being extends beyond treating injuries and conditions.
The Relationship Between Posture and Pain
Neck and back pain have several potential causes and contributing factors. Improper posture is often one of them. When you lose your postural awareness and start to slouch, it puts extra strain on the muscles that support your spine, particularly the muscles in your neck and upper back. This can lead to overuse injuries that cause pain or restricted mobility.
Remaining in prolonged postures (particularly sitting) also puts extra strain on your back muscles. When you get up and move around – even if it’s just for a few minutes – you relieve that pressure. Staying active also helps strengthen the muscles of your back and core, which helps prevent common musculoskeletal injuries that can cause pain and dysfunction.
Staff Spotlight
Dr. Tyler Trumbo
Dr. Trumbo is approaching his third year of providing the highest quality physical therapy in the entire Tulsa metro area. To ensure that the high standards set for iMove PT Tulsa are not only maintained but also improved upon, new equipment, training, and strategies will be implemented throughout the year 2025.
In an effort to enhance and maximize each treatment session with his patients, Dr. Trumbo has recently incorporated the NuPro from Neux Technologies into his practice. This device goes far beyond what traditional electrical stimulation offers. It uses direct current to not only improve strength and range of motion, but also to decrease pain, optimize neuromuscular facilitation, and ensure that joint strength and stability remain a hallmark of aging while allowing individuals to continue enjoying the activities they love. The NuPro can be used at the highest level for extended periods of time. Additionally, it can help patients suffering from conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and other neuromuscular deficits achieve improved functional strength and mobility. This is just one of the many tools Dr. Trumbo uses daily to help his patients achieve outcomes that align with their desired lifestyles, no matter their age!
Physical Therapy’s Role in Improving Posture
When you visit us for your appointment, here’s what we’ll do to help you improve your posture and reduce your back and neck pain:
- We start with a comprehensive postural assessment. We’ll take a look at your posture when you’re sitting, standing, and moving, looking for potential areas of dysfunction. We’ll also take a complete health history and might run some additional screens, too, testing for strength, mobility, balance, and more.
- We help with any acute pain. Manual therapy techniques and targeted mobility exercises can help relieve your pain and help you get your body’s function back.
- We help strengthen any weak muscles: Targeted strengthening exercises will help correct any muscular imbalances stemming from improper posture, providing better support and stability to your spine.
- We offer personalized postural corrections: The final piece of the puzzle helps ensure lasting relief. We’ll provide a customized postural improvement plan that speaks to your unique needs and impairments.
Start Improving Your Posture Today!
Fixing improper posture isn’t a one-and-done affair, but a visit to iMove PT can help you get started. Call us to schedule your appointment today!
Greek Salad with Chicken
Ingredients:
- 6 cups chopped lettuce, such as iceberg or romaine
- 1 8- ounce Greek Marinated Chicken Breast, sliced or chopped
- 2 cups Mediterranean Tomato Salad or sliced tomatoes
- 1 cup sliced Persian or hothouse cucumber
- ¼ cup kalamata olives
- ¼ cup feta cheese, broken into chunks
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon each of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
-
Add the lettuce to a large serving bowl or two individual salad bowls. Top with the sliced chicken, tomato salad, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese.
-
To make the dressing, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, sugar and salt and pepper to a small canning jar. Top with the lid and shake well until blended and emulsified. Season with more sugar and salt and pepper to taste.
-
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to taste.
