While there is no defined data to pinpoint an exact number of Greater Vancouver residents with poor posture, it’s estimated that over 11 million Canadians (Vancouverites included) experience musculoskeletal conditions each year, many of which are related to poor posture. Poor posture can lead to a variety of physical health issues, including neck, back, and shoulder pain, in addition to stiffness, digestive problems, and even breathing difficulties. Further, poor posture negatively impacts flexibility, balance, and overall body mechanics which can compromise physical fitness, competitiveness in athletics, workplace productivity, and general quality of life. On top of it all, poor posture has a detrimental impact on one’s personal aesthetic, how others may see them, and subsequently how someone feels about themselves.
Why You’re Experiencing Problems with Your Posture and Why Our Physiotherapy Clinic is Where to Come for Correction
Reasons for Poor Posture
Before we address why we’re the most qualified physiotherapist for posture correction, it helps to understand what may be causing the position of the body while sitting, standing, or lying down to be compromised, and why your spine is misaligned with your head, shoulders, and hips. We can narrow down the causes of poor posture that a physiotherapist can directly address. These are broken down into four categories; i) habit and lifestyle factors, ii) physical factors, iii) medical factors, and iv) ergonomic and environmental factors.
i) Habit and Lifestyle Factors:
- Poor sitting position (i.e. slouching when seated).
- Poor standing position (i.e. slouching when standing).
- Poor sleeping position, such as sleeping on your stomach.
- Poor gait (manner of walking).
- Repeated movements at work or when doing regular (to you) activities that involve poor biomechanics.
- Excessive smartphone and tablet use that involves poor biomechanics.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Poor diet and nutrition, in that obesity compromises spinal alignment.
ii) Physical Factors:
- Weak muscles and joints.
- Muscle imbalances.
- Acute injuries that compromise alignment.
- Chronic injuries that compromise alignment.
- Genetic issues such as leg length discrepancies (LLDs).
iii) Medical Factors:
- Scoliosis, which is a term used to describe the sideways curvature of the spine.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, which is an inflammatory disease that can cause bones in the spine to fuse together.
- Osteoporosis, which is a condition that weakens bones and can contribute to a hunched position and appearance.
iv) Ergonomic and Environmental Factors:
- Poor workplace ergonomics, namely workstations (seating, desk, and computer/equipment positions).
- Poor seating at home (living room, dining room, et cetera).
- Overly soft mattresses which can cause your body to sink, leading to a misalignment of the spine.
- Overly firm mattresses, which can create pressure points and prevent the spine from maintaining its natural curve.
- Regularly wearing poor footwear with poor support, such high heels or flat shoes with little arch support.
Wow! When considering everything that can negatively impact your posture, you may think that you don’t stand a chance (pun intended) to correct your posture. The good news (for Vancouver residents) is that you’re here. Read below for a look at how our physiotherapist clinic will get you sitting, standing, sleeping, and moving as your body was intended.
How Our Physiotherapists Will Help
When it comes to the more serious medical factors, find peace of mind that our clinic will help through a variety of treatments. For instance, we address scoliosis by designing an individualized plan that may include exercise therapy, manual therapy, postural training, breathing exercises, and client education to improve spinal alignment, mobility, and function. Those with ankylosing spondylitis will benefit from a personalized exercise program that includes strength training, range of motion exercises, aerobic exercises, and postural training. Osteoporosis will be addressed a personalized strategy that includes some combination of weight-bearing exercises, resistance training, and balance exercises to help manage the condition and prevent poor posture.
What about physical factors? For muscle and joint weakness and imbalances, our physiotherapists will implement progressive resistance training, manual therapy, and exercises that mimic daily activities. For genetic issues like LLDs, a physiotherapist-prescribed program will include exercises, education, and possibly shoe modifications to improve function and reduce poor posture. Meanwhile, correcting acute and chronic injuries through a variety of physiotherapy services, including manual therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and more…is what we primarily do.
Your Burnaby BC physiotherapist will also assist win habit and lifestyle factors by assessing the manner of which you sit, stand, walk, and sleep, and how you move when doing work (including smartphone use). From there, we will provide hands-on guidance for how to do each to correct and protect your posture from the moment you leave your first appointment. We are also qualified to advise on diet and nutrition.
Lastly, our physiotherapists are qualified to prescribe custom orthotics for when your footwear and/or gait is the issue, and can advise on requisite ergonomic seating in addition to providing advice on mattress types and even seat adjustments than can be made in your vehicle.
Ready to sit, stand, and move with confidence? Schedule an assessment at our Burnaby BC clinic today!
Improve Your Posture Today!
(Burnaby and Vancouver fitness enthusiasts)