Learn about the causes of Postural Problems & find a practitioner in Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin to help you overcome Postural Problems within New Zealand.
Postural problems refer to health issues that can arise as a result of poor posture. If parts of the body are not aligned correctly then this can produce strain which causes pain or discomfort. Underlying causes may be the formation of bad habit, abnormal body development or poor blood circulation.
Postural problems are typically related to either sitting or standing
in an awkward position, irregular walking pattern, abnormal physical
development or illness.
Poor posture places strain on the
structure of the body i.e. bones, ligaments, tendons etc. Slouching
while walking and standing is a common cause of postural problems as
the body is unnaturally pushed forwards. Slouching in a chair or
sitting in an awkward position places excessive strain on the back and
neck.
Stress on the body's structure can result in strains and
sprains of the soft tissue or fractures of the bone. Injury can also
occur in different parts of the body away from the area which is not
correctly aligned. For example, problems with the feet can result in
knee pain and lower back problems.
Some postural problems are as
a result of a medical condition. In adolescents, a condition called
scoliosis causes deformity of the spine resulting in lateral curving.
The spine can curve and resemble the letter 'C' or in the case of a
secondary curve the letter 'S'.
Rounded shoulders is a common
condition that is caused by a spinal abnormality. The curvature of the
spine causes the shoulders to be pushed forwards creating a hunched
posture. Knock knees and bow legs can have a negative impact on posture
as the majority of the body's weight is placed on the instep or outstep
of the foot.
Poor posture can also be caused by degenerative
diseases particularly as the body ages. Conditions such as kyphosis and
ankylosing spondylarthritis are common in the elderly.
In most cases, postural problems can be easily corrected and any pain
or discomfort is temporary. However some chronic ailments can not be
easily treated or may take longer to correct than a short-term problem.
In these cases, poor posture can affect blood circulation which can
lead to problems with the internal organs and other bodily functions.
Common symptoms of postural problems include:
In the first instance, you should visit your GP if you are suffering
postural problems. The GP will first try to rule out any serious
underlying causes through physical examination and, if necessary,
diagnostic tests such as X-ray, MRI or CT scan.
For many people,
postural problems can be treated by simple corrections to the way you
sit and walk however you may be referred to a physiotherapist,
osteopath, chiropractor or podiatrist as they specialise in correcting
the body's structure.
*Source: GoToSee.co.uk