Poor posture could be behind many of the aches, pains, and niggles you experience on a daily basis. The tricky thing is, bad posture develops gradually, so the symptoms often creep up on you, which can make it difficult to connect the dots. You may be left baffled and confused, wondering what’s causing your back pain in the first place.
So, here’s how to recognise the warning signs and what you can do about them.
Common Symptoms of Poor Posture
Poor posture doesn’t just cause pain; it also affects how you look. Additionally, it affects how your whole body functions. Some telltale signs that poor posture is the culprit include:
- Back and neck pain: Dull aches in your lower back, upper back, or neck, especially after sitting or standing for long periods.
- Frequent headaches: Tension headaches that start at the base of your skull often stem from poor head and neck alignment.
- Rounded shoulders: When your shoulders roll forward and your upper back curves, it’s a visible sign of a postural imbalance.
- Fatigue and low energy: When your body has to work harder to hold you up, it drains your energy faster.
- Shallow breathing: A collapsed chest restricts your lungs, making it harder to take deep, full breaths.
- Muscle stiffness and tension: This is often in your shoulders, neck, and jaw, where your muscles are working overtime to compensate for bad posture.
Hours spent hunched over laptops, looking down at phones, slouching on sofas, and sitting in poorly set-up workstations all pull your body forward. Over time, this leads to structural changes, including tight muscles in some areas, weak muscles in others, and bones that shift out of their optimal positions. So, what can you do about it?
How to Improve Your Posture
Posture can be improved at any age. However, it often takes some mindfulness and a bit of effort to see noticeable improvements. Here are some steps to get started:
- Check your workstation. Your screen should sit a bit higher than eye level (so you’re not looking down at the screen), your keyboard at elbow height, and your feet flat on the ground. If you’re a current client and want us to take a look at your current workstation set-up, send us a photo!
- Move regularly. Your best posture is your next posture! Get up and move every 30-45 minutes. Your body was never made to sit for hours on end.
- Strengthen your core and back. Exercises, such as glute bridges, planks, and rows, can all help support better alignment.
- Build awareness. Simply noticing when you’re slouching is half the battle. But when you do, you can actively put effort toward fixing it and making adjustments.
If your poor posture symptoms persist despite your best efforts, professional help might be your next best step. When bones in your spine have shifted forward into positions your body cannot self-correct, no amount of stretching or “sitting up straight” will fix the underlying problem.
At Posture & Wellness, we take a whole-body approach to health. Through Advanced Biostructural Correction™ (ABC™), we help reduce hidden strain, improve posture, and support your nervous system so you can thrive!
If you’re interested in learning how chiropractic care can complement your wellness routine, your Finsbury Park chiropractor is here to help. Schedule your FREE discovery call today. BOOK NOW.