The Importance of Good Posture

I think most people can think of a time when someone told them to “stand up straight.” Maybe it was one of your parents when you were sitting at the table slouching or maybe when you were standing with your neck forwardly hovering over your cellphone. Whatever that case may have been, we all probably should have listened. Posture has become a major concern as we have developed over time with the increase in desk jobs and the development of technology. Most jobs require sitting at a desk for hours, which over time can promote slouching of your low backs and rounding of shoulders and neck due to typing. Then those habits carry on into your personal life, whether that is spending your free time straining your neck as you hover over your phone or melting into the couch as you binge-watch your favorite Netflix show. These activities have become so common in our society and have promoted bad posture and are causing many negative effects on our bodies.

In the medical field, posture is examined using a “plumb line.” This is an assessment that is analyzed by looking at the person from their side and imagining a line that runs from the top of their head to the floor. Someone with perfect posture would present with their ears, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles stacking up along this line. Unfortunately for most of us, some part of our body usually does not line up with the plumb line. The most common is either seeing rounded shoulders and a forward head or an accentuated curve in the low back, which are usually a result of overuse of poor sitting posture. As physical therapists, the plumb line and posture assessment are very beneficial because it allows us to visually see what areas need to be strengthened, stretched and corrected for someone to adjust their posture to perform daily tasks in the most functional way.

Posture may not appear to be a major concern for many people, but posture is very important because it offers us the maximum potential for movement. At International Physical Therapy, we put a strong emphasis on educating patients on proper posture and creating a specific program for them that reeducates their body through stretching, strengthening and manual techniques that promote the best outcome to enhance their posture. One main treatment that a patient may receive who has postural issues is a therapeutic massage. A therapeutic massage is important to correct posture because when someone has rounded shoulders and a forward neck they will develop knots, tightness and often inflammation in their neck, upper back and pectoral region. A physical therapist can use their massage techniques as well as modalities to decrease tightness and knots in that area to allow for a more functional posture.

At International Physical Therapy, we also make sure we are using all-natural and organic products to ensure that our patients are not being treated with toxic or harmful chemicals. Therefore, when patients receive a therapeutic massage we often use Gifts of Nature Organics “pain salve.” This cream is crafted with natural and organic products that reduce inflammation and topical pain with a slow-release formula that will provide several hours of pain relief. This has been proven to be an excellent product to assist the therapist with decreasing tightness and muscle spasms while they are massaging a patient. It has also been beneficial for patients to have their own supply of pain salve to use when they need a natural release from any pain. To learn more about the pain salve check out the blog on giftsofnatureoganics.com for additional information on how valuable this product is.

 Aside from therapeutic massages, a patient at IPT will also receive one-on-one care from the physical therapist to instruct them on the correct exercises, stretches and aerobic conditioning program that will promote proper posture and increase their overall well-being. As stated earlier we believe in the importance of posture to offer us the maximum potential for movement, so let us help you reach that goal and keep you straight!

For more information about posture or how we can help you, feel free to call the facility at 732-370-4755 or email us at iptat301@gmail.com!

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