Spinal health is something a lot of us tend to take for granted when we’re younger. Slouching in your chair, attempting daring backflips on a trampoline, laying in seemingly impossible position on the couch… with your spine not even an afterthought!
In the 21st century, sedentary activities are increasingly popular, from a Netflix binge to social media scrolling on your phone, and our posture is severely suffering.
Here are some of the consequences that can occur due to bad posture.
Digestive issues
Slouching at your desk or hunching over while you’re in a seated position compresses your abdominal area and digestive tract. Putting pressure on your bladder through this compression means you can inhibit the pelvic floor’s role of holding the bladder’s pressure and may result in incontinence due to the stress on those areas.
The compression of your digestive tract over long periods (i.e. at your desk every day) can also restrict your body’s ability to process and digest foods properly which could lead to malnutrition in some areas. It can also contribute to heartburn and acid reflux by forcing stomach acid back up the esophagus.
Poor circulation
Good circulation is vital for your overall health and a key player in the prevention of many serious health problems such as heart attacks and strokes as well as overall muscle health and repair.
Bad posture prevents your body from creating the important circulation it needs and can contribute to more severe health conditions over time such as varicose veins and cardiovascular disease.
Prolonged muscle tension
A common complaint of people with bad posture is the aches and pains they feel in their muscles. Headaches, shoulder tension, sore backs, and stiffness are all symptoms of bad posture.
Slouched positions such as leaning your head forward and down to read a monitor or while looking at your phone puts additional pressure on the cervical spine and muscles begin to become overworked by attempting to counterbalance the forward-tilting weight. The longer the strained position is held, the more likely the muscles become strained and result in lots of aches and pains.
Increased fatigue
The body is always working hard completing the essential tasks it needs to function. When there is added strain on completing these tasks, the body has to work even harder. Bad posture can send your body into working overtime battling against constricting circulation, compressed organs, additional muscle tension, and the pain that can go along with them.
When your body has to work harder, you become more fatigued. Fatigue can also mean you’re less likely to get up and moving which is what your body needs, creating a vicious cycle that needs to be broken!
Good News
The good news is that physical therapy like massage can help relieve muscle tension, so it will help ease any pain or tightness you might be feeling from postural conditions. We may also be able to help you with corrective movements and stretches which will help you to loosen up even more. So get in touch today!