Whether it was at school or in our own homes, it always seemed like someone was correcting how we sat. From being told to sit up straighter to receiving a scolding for slouching, everyone’s heard that they shouldn’t adopt a bad posture. However, contrary to popular belief, this isn’t just something your parents facilitated; there are actual negative consequences to sitting incorrectly in your daily life. With that, consider how poor posture contributes to chronic pain and what you can do to mitigate the effects.
What Constitutes Poor Posture?
Anytime you find yourself leaning too far forward at your desk or adopting body angles outside of 90 degrees, you’re sitting with an incorrect posture. When standing or sitting upright, your back should be straight and your head should be fully upright. Those with poor posture often exhibit a flat or swayed back and a slouched or forward-leaning neck. Over a long period of time, any of these positions can be harmful to the body. Therefore, it’s crucial to make adjustments now before you start developing discomfort.
The Connection to Chronic Pain Symptoms
How exactly does poor posture contribute to chronic pain? For one, it affects how you distribute your weight, putting more strain on some areas and taking pressure away from others. This can cause damage to your nervous system and blood vessels, resulting in painful sensations. It can also cause muscle strain and deterioration over time, which can lead to more prominent aches and pains in the future. When your muscles—particularly your back muscles—weaken, they can’t properly support the spine, shoulders, and neck. As such, it’s much harder to prevent general discomfort as you sit at your desk.
Tips for Maintaining Good Posture
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help improve your posture in your daily life. Start with how you set up your desk space. With your keyboard, monitors, and chair properly aligned, you can find comfort while minimizing the time you spend slouching. Make sure you take the occasional break to check your posture and correct it. Additionally, standing up to stretch can be a great way to promote better blood circulation and alleviate any tension in your muscles.
Living with chronic pain can hinder your overall quality of life. That’s why at Pain and Spine Specialists, we’re dedicated to helping you find relief from your symptoms. Whether you’ve developed aches and pains from poor posture or from other health conditions, our pain management doctors in Erie, Pennsylvania, can help. Contact us today to start your journey toward a healthier, more comfortable life.