Unhealthy posture and slouching incorrectly position the body unnaturally, adding chronic strain on the muscles and ligaments. For example, when sitting or standing at a workstation, individuals start to relax by slumping forward because it feels comfortable; however, they don’t realize that their shoulders are hunching over, and their neck is in an awkward forward position. For every inch the head moves forward, its weight on the neck and upper back muscles increases by 10 pounds. Individuals that stay in this position for a long time often experience neck soreness, tension in the shoulder muscles, and low back discomfort. Chiropractic care, massage, and decompression therapy can realign the spine to its natural position and train individuals to maintain a healthy posture.
Table of Contents
Posture is the body’s position in space, the relationship of the body’s parts, head, torso, and limbs to each other. Maintaining the natural lumbar curve in the low back is essential to preventing posture-related discomfort symptoms. This natural curve works as a shock absorber, helping to distribute weight along the length of the spine. The most common causes for slouching posture are:
A prolonged seated or standing position fatigues the muscles that stabilize the spine from the forces of gravity and body weight. When the tired muscles no longer provide stability, the spine must rely on the passive structures of the musculoskeletal system for support. Without the support, the spine gradually loses its natural cervical and lumbar curves and becomes more kyphotic or slouched. Slouching can provide relaxation and relief to the fatigued muscles; however, repetitive or prolonged stress to the passive structures can result in discomfort and injury to those tissues. This is how nerve compression, ligament inflammation, and disc herniations start.
The advantages of practicing healthy posture include the following:
Our approach starts by correcting the physical problems caused by slouching, which involves chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic massage, and non-surgical decompression therapy. The objective is to fix the root cause to ensure that the treatment lasts and maintains neuromusculoskeletal health.
Defloor, T, and M H Grypdonck. “Sitting posture and prevention of pressure ulcers.” Applied nursing research: ANR vol. 12,3 (1999): 136-42. doi:10.1016/s0897-1897(99)80045-7
Fortner, Miles O et al. “Treating ‘slouchy’ (hyperkyphosis) posture with chiropractic biophysics®: a case report utilizing a multimodal mirror image® rehabilitation program.” Journal of physical therapy science vol. 29,8 (2017): 1475-1480. doi:10.1589/jpts.29.1475
Katzman, Wendy B et al. “Age-related hyperkyphosis: its causes, consequences, and management.” The Journal of orthopedic and sports physical therapy vol. 40,6 (2010): 352-60. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3099
Korakakis, Vasileios, et al. “Physiotherapist perceptions of optimal sitting and standing posture.” Musculoskeletal science & practice vol. 39 (2019): 24-31. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2018.11.004
Snijders, Chris J et al. “Effects of slouching and muscle contraction on the strain of the iliolumbar ligament.” Manual therapy vol. 13,4 (2008): 325-33. doi:10.1016/j.math.2007.03.001
Yoong, Nicole Kah Mun et al. “Commercial Postural Devices: A Review.” Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 19,23 5128. 23 Nov. 2019, doi:10.3390/s19235128
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The information herein on "Slouching Causes: EP's Chiropractic Scientists" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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