Poor Posture - A Common Cause of Back Pain

Kathy took a job selling real estate after she finished school. Suddenly she had to dress up everyday, so Kathy began wearing high-heeled shoes. After years of wearing flat shoes or tennis shoes to school, the change in her activities was significant. She also started to have back pain. She thought it was because she was spending so many hours at her job, taking clients to look at houses, getting into and out of the car, etc. But most of her back pain was result of a posture change. Wearing high-heeled shoes increased the curve in her lower back, changed her posture, alarmed her muscles and triggered discomfort. Kathy needs to recognize the benefit of using a two-inch or lower heel during her workday. Her posture will not be drastically affected, and she can save her very high heels for special occasions when she does not have to stand or walk for long periods of time.

Michael and Kathy finished school at the same time, and Michael went to work in a machine shop. Michael also began experiencing back pain, but his pain was related to standing on a concrete floor for eight hours a day in front of a machine. His back was used to sitting in a classroom. Once Michael discovered the cause of his back pain, he requested and received a rubber mat to stand on. He also used a railing next to his machine to prop up a foot while working. It was amazing how quickly his pain disappeared once he used good posture techniques and took pressure off his lower back.

How do you sit? How do you stand? Has your posture changed as you have gotten older? Has your posture changed because you have a new chair or a new job? Do you use a computer instead of a typewriter? Do you stand on concrete or tile floors at work or in the kitchen? Your back and/or neck pain may be a result of a posture change.

Neck pain is often related to poor posture. If you have to sit all day looking at a computer screen, your head needs to be centered over your shoulders, and your back should be well-supported. Arm rests on the chair are also helpful.

If you arrive at home every evening with neck pain, shoulder discomfort and a headache, don't quit your job. Instead, rearrange your posture. You may have unknowingly become a head-thruster! If so, your muscles will react by tensing, because your neck is sensitive to good and bad positions. Specific exercises and body mechanics positions will be introduced later to correct aggravating neck problems.

Your posture can contribute to your discomfort or alleviate your pain. Listening to your back will give you the clues for positive posture.