If you spend long periods of time at your desk or slouched over your phone, you may be experiencing symptoms of bad posture. Those symptoms can include:
- Back and neck pain.
- Fatigue.
- Shallow breathing.
- Overall stiffness.
- Poor balance.
If you experience these symptoms due to posture issues, you're not alone. About 80% of Americans suffer from bad posture, or the misalignment of the shoulder blades and neck. Physical therapy can help introduce exercises that can combat poor posture habits like slouching and slumped shoulders.
Why you should consider physical therapy for posture problems
Physical therapy is not only for people who are injured. Strengthening your posture and mobilizing your back in a physical therapy clinic can help you avoid injury in the first place. Specific exercises can simultaneously improve your posture and protect your spine, back, shoulders, and neck from serious injury. Going to physical therapy for your posture concerns can offer many benefits, including:
- An introduction to exercises that are tailored to your body” Specific physical therapy exercises and stretches can train your body to naturally adopt proper posture. In particular, shoulder stabilization exercises can strengthen your muscles so that standing straight feels less like a chore. Physical therapists can customize exercises to address specific posture concerns, such as a hunched back or forward-leaning neck.
- Access to expert tools ” Physical therapists are well versed in various techniques and modalities that supplement exercises. For example, physical therapists can expertly apply kinesiology tape to support the shoulder blades and spine. The tape also gently pulls on your muscles, making you more aware of your posture and when to correct it. IN addition, physical therapists have access to tools like foam rollers and bands to help you build your strength in a safe environment.
- Education that goes beyond the clinic ” Physical therapy doesn't end in the clinic. Instead, physical therapists can prescribe you at-home exercises so that your posture can improve sooner and with more noticeable results. The education you get from one-on-one sessions with a physical therapist can help you develop posture-friendly habits that last.
- Routine development to ease back and neck pain ” Performing exercises that increase mobility and strength can encourage blood flow to the back and neck. Over time, these exercises can ease back and neck stiffness. This means that patients can develop a greater range of motion, lessening the symptoms of chronic pain that contribute to poor posture.
Alliance PTP is ready to help you find top-notch physical therapy for your posture
At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we're proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality physical therapy they need. Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance Physical Therapy Partner that's close to you and that can help you address your posture concerns.
Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform.
Contact our team today so we can help you find the most effective physical therapy services for your posture concerns.