Whose mother hasn’t told them to stand up straight? Most mothers remind their children of proper posture so that they stand taller, breathe deeper, look stronger, and because, well, their mothers told them to do it too.

Mom’s advice does far more than make you look good; it’s pivotal to good health. Improper posture can lead to numerous problems including:

• Decreased lung capacity
• Neck pain
• Ligament stress
• Back pain
• Shoulder tightness
• Abnormal joint wear
• Increased muscle fatigue
• Constricted blood flow
• Adhesion Formation
• Chronic pain throughout the body

How does all of this happen just from poor posture? First, poor posture happens a lot more than you think. Improper posture can occur while seated at a computer, eating lunch, driving a car, walking, or even leisurely sitting. A person can go through an entire day with improper posture.

Improper posture puts unnecessary stress on ligaments and muscles in the body. This eventually leads to fatigue, soreness, pain, and inflammation. When inflammation occurs, cross-links begin to form within the muscles. These cross-links can continue to build, causing tightness, pain, and adhesions.

When your body isn’t in its natural alignment, blood vessels and nerves can become constricted – leading to decreased blood flow and fatigue. Improper posture also puts unnecessary pressure on joints and organs that weren’t designed to experience that pressure day after day.

What can you do if you experience symptoms due to improper posture? First step: change your posture! To learn how to sit properly at your computer, read our article on Seven Tips to Limit Back and Neck Pain. Second, understand that your body may not be able to naturally return to its proper alignment. Chronic poor posture can lead to adhesive patterns that prevent the ligaments and muscles from relaxing to their natural position. Clear Passage Therapists frequently see this in patients who come to the clinic for chronic neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, and headaches. To learn more about our treatment for these conditions, please visit our chronic pain page.