Are you someone who experiences pain in your back? You’re not alone. It’s estimated that roughly 8 out every of 10 people in the U.S. experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. Most cases of back pain will resolve themselves within a few days or weeks, but some cases will go on for longer. For those experiencing chronic back pain or pain that never goes away, getting assistance from a health care professional can be an effective course of action.
What are some of the causes of back pain?
- Osteoarthritis — Osteoarthritis is a type of joint disease. It involves the degeneration of the cartilage in between the joints and causes changes in bone formation. It’s a chronic, progressive condition, meaning that it can’t be cured. Osteoarthritis can impact the joints in the lower back and the neck, causing pain; it could also result in poor posture.
- Muscle injury or weakness — Another potential cause of back pain is muscle injury or weakness. When the muscles in the back, shoulders, stomach or any region helping to support the back become weak, they become more susceptible to injury — specifically, muscle strains and tears. These injuries can make activities like walking difficult and painful in the lower back.
- Herniated disc — A herniated disc occurs when the jellylike center of one of the discs in the spinal column leaks out. It can result in back pain and may also eventually cause bad posture in some cases.
- Poor posture — Poor posture, when not caused by osteoarthritis, a herniated disc or something else, can contribute to back pain.
What are some other results of poor posture, besides back pain?
- Joint pain — One of the possible results of poor posture, aside from back pain, is joint pain. The joints may become adversely affected by poor posture and become dysfunctional or painful. Improper posture can place strain and pressure on the joints and the tissue around them.
- Shoulder rounding — Another result of poor posture could be rounded shoulders. This occurs when the shoulders physically start to shift forward. The muscles and ligaments in the shoulder become tight and begin to create abnormal body alignment. This abnormal alignment can create further health problems and progress if left untreated.
- Muscle weakness — The muscles in the shoulder, back and stomach can all weaken as a result of poor posture. The muscles that would normally be used to maintain posture become fragile, weak and prone to injury. In some cases, muscle weakness that results from poor posture can cause back pain because the muscles can’t support the body anymore. They may become strained or torn from overuse.
Why should you choose physical therapy for your poor posture??
Getting physical therapy treatment from a qualified team of professionals is an effective way to maintain good health and treat any physical health issues that may exist or crop up in the future. If you have back pain as a result of poor posture, a physical therapist can work with you to help correct your posture to ultimately relieve some of your pain. If you don’t have back pain, you may be at risk of developing it in the future. A therapist can help you build muscle strength to prevent a variety of issues that may affect you later down the line.
Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness is ready to help your back pain by addressing your poor posture
Our team at Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness can offer you a unique and customized physical therapy experience. We value our patients so much that we strive to provide each one with a personalized treatment plan that caters to their individual lifestyles, habits and future goals. If you’re wondering why your poor posture is causing your back pain, we can guide you through the treatment plan you need to effectively manage your condition and work toward the relief you’re looking for at any one of our several locations. We can help you integrate simple yet strategic movements into your everyday routine so that your posture can benefit.
During our physical therapy sessions, our physical therapists will guide you through your treatment with the utmost care and focus, making sure that you’re completing your exercises or movements with accuracy and efficiency for the best results.
Are you ready to take the first step toward correcting your poor posture? Do you want to learn more about back pain and how to find relief from it? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.