Ever Catch Yourself Slumping? Pain May Follow
By Sandy Schroeder
If you have ever caught a glimpse of yourself hunching over your keyboard or phone, you know you need to work on that slump, but you may not realize how much damage it can do. Chiropractic can help. Find out what can happen, and then fix it.
What Happens When You Have Poor Posture
Mayo Clinic said recently that all of these problems can be caused by poor posture.
Headaches - Tension or muscle spasm headaches come from poor posture straining muscles at the back of the head, neck, upper back and jaw.
Shoulder pain - The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that connect the upper arm to the shoulder. A hunched posture can weaken or injure the rotator cuff, and limit normal activities.
Neck or back pain - There are many causes of back and neck pain, but poor posture is a trigger. Straighten up to shut down pain before it settles in.
Hip, knee or foot pain - Poor spinal alignment, rigidity, muscle weakness, tightness and imbalance can create knee or hip pain. Faulty foot and ankle alignment can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the foot tissue that leads to the heel.
Tiredness and difficulty breathing - Slumping forward impacts the diaphragm reducing lung capacity and making it harder to breathe, which makes everything you do more difficult.
Pain in the jaw - When we slump and extend the head forward the muscles under the chin and temporomandibular joint become strained and causes pain, tiredness and jaw popping.
How Chiropractic Can Help
The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you can help you straighten up and enjoy better health. When you come in, your chiropractor will start with a spinal evaluation and posture assessment.
A gentle spinal adjustment may realign the spine and improve posture. Then there is less stress on ligaments and less risk of injury. Good posture also avoids muscle fatigue and prevents overuse. Your chiropractor can also help you fix your posture at work with tips like these.
Check Your Posture at Work
- Make sure your monitor is at eye level
- Use an adjustable chair that provides good back support
- Sit up straight and keep feet flat on the floor
- Avoid extending the head forward
- Take 5 or 10 minute breaks every hour
When you are ready to lose that slump, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you to get started. Clinics are open weekends and evenings and walk-ins are welcome. Affordable personal healthcare plans eliminate the hassle of insurance.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in.San Jose, Calif.