News from Back To Health-March 2010

Got Posture?: Many, if not most, orthopedic ailments can be related to posture.
Poor posture does not happen overnight; rather it progresses from a younger person not taking the time to sit or stand up straight, which leads to poor muscle control, and strength.

The muscles that flex us forward become tight and short and the muscles intended to keep us upright become long and weak. This can be more pronounced in individuals with a scoliosis (abnormal spinal curvature) making the need for good posture even more critical. Poor posture not only leads to orthopedic aches and pains, especially in the back and neck, the muscle weakness and imbalance, it can also greatly increase our risk of falling.

Since most of us are slaves to our computers at work, or even at home, sitting posture is of utmost importance. Slouching -- I call it collapsing - is BAD! Often, especially if we are older, our body tells us this through aches and pains. If we heed the warning, this is where pain is a good thing. If we do not, a trip to the doctor or physical therapist, or even the emergency room is in your future.

The following are a few posture tips that you are probably familiar with, but it never hurts to see them again and hopefully, at one point you will pick up on something you find helpful:

Position the monitor 20-24 inches from your eyes to avoid eye strain.
Obtain a good chair, preferably on e with an adjustable seat that provides lumbar support
Sit tall but relaxed.
Type with your hands parallel to the keyboard.
Use a small pillow or rolled up towel if you need additional lumbar support.
Rest your feet flat on the floor. if they are not and everything else is positioned properly,..
Elevate them using a small box or footrest so that your knees are a little higher than yoru hips -- this takes strain off of your lower back.

For more information check out our website: www.backtohealthpt.com or email Darlene Wooldridge, P.T. or Vanessa Jagusztyn, D.P.T. at www.backtohealthpt.com/contact_us.html