Posture Correction in Fort Worth

Sometimes it can be hard to tell where the ache in our backs and joints comes from, especially as we get older. While many of us learn to live with the pain, you might be surprised how much of it is the result of bad posture in Fort Worth.

At Texas Injury Clinic, our team can identify poor posture and recommend exercises for posture correction. During a consultation at our office in Ft. Worth, TX, we can help you determine the best way to deal with your discomfort.

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What Is Posture in Fort Worth

Posture is the position in which we hold ourselves while standing, sitting, or lying down. Holding posture is the result of a collaborative effort involving dozens of different muscles. Large back muscles and hamstrings on the back of the thighs play the most important role, supported by a number of smaller muscles in the chest.

Despite the exertion involved, we are usually able to maintain posture nearly subconsciously. It is only when something goes wrong that we take notice.

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Why Does Posture Matter?

While poor posture cannot explain every muscle ache or lingering pain, it can have a significant impact on your body. If your posture places undue stress on joints, nerves, or muscles, you will eventually feel the consequences. In many cases, it can cause or aggravate:

• Chronic or tension headaches
• Pinched nerves
• Sciatica
• Abnormal gaits

Even holding your wrist at an unfamiliar angle because of a new desk can lead to lasting aches.

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What Contributes to Bad Posture?

Many different factors can influence your posture, including:

• Stress
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Weak postural muscles
• Abnormally tight muscles
• Decreased flexibility
• Poor work environment
• High-heeled shoes

Consequently, correcting your posture is not a one-step solution: it has to involve many different approaches. Fortunately, many of the factors affecting posture are well within our control and can be changed.

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How Can the Team at Texas Injury Clinic Help?

During a consultation at our office, our team not only takes time to discuss your specific health concerns, but also conducts a full-scale examination of your body, including an analysis of posture. Based on this comprehensive exam, we can determine if and how much your posture might be factoring into other health problems.

Simply becoming aware of your posture can go a long way toward correcting it. However, posture is often a result of muscle memory, so we also need to train our bodies to hold new positions, even when they are more comfortable. As a result, we usually also recommend and demonstrate exercises to strengthen important postural muscles.

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General Tips for Correcting Posture

The exercises best suited to you will depend on the specifics of your posture. For example, a middle-aged man who works at a desk all day typically has very different postural problems than a teenaged girl who frequently wears high heels. However, certain tips are useful for everyone:

• Sitting: If sitting for long periods of time at a desk or table, try to keep your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest, if you cannot reach the ground. Also, avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time.
• Standing: As much as possible, try to bear most of your weight on the balls of your feet. When standing for long periods of time, make sure to shift your weight around. Moving from one foot to the other or shifting weight from your toes to your heels can prevent too much stress resting on any part of the foot.
• Lying Down: The best way you can support good posture during the night is with a good mattress. If you have back pain, sleeping on your side or back is often the best way to relieve some of the pressure.

Finally, simply getting regular exercise every day can go a long way toward strengthening postural muscles.

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Relieve Pain with Better Posture

While good posture may not be a cure for every issue, it can certainly relieve many of the day-to-day stresses we place on our bodies. Reach out to schedule a consultation with our team online or call (817) 624-7222. During your visit, we can determine if posture correction can benefit you.