Postural Evaluation

Postural imbalances at work or at home can be the source of both neck and low back pain. Jobs that require us to sit most of the day predispose us to aches and pains in the back, neck, shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Without the proper postural training our slow twitch, or postural muscles, become weak and over-stretched, whereas our fast twitch, or main mover muscles, become over-recruited, short, and tight. Therefore, the fast twitch muscles are taking over for the slow twitch muscles, and this substitution leads to a pain cycle commonly referred to as lower cross (back) or upper (neck) crossed syndrome.

Those of us that stand all day are also susceptible to low back, hip, knee, ankle, and foot pain/injuries. Again, if the postural muscles are not conditioned and maintained in their correct postural positions, then they will become over-stretched and weak forcing the fast twitch muscles to substitute.

In addition, activities that are done repetitively without the proper support can lead to pain and injury because the muscles, tendons, and joints are forced to work in positions for which they were not designed. These type of injuries are not only hard on the neck and back but also on the extremities (shoulders, wrists, knees, ankles). For example, carpal tunnel can be caused by repetitively flexing and extending the wrist without proper support. A postural evaluation can give the patient important educational information to help decrease current discomfort and prevent future pain and injury. Please call our office if you have any questions or are interested in a workplace postural evaluation.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that this information is only for general knowledge; it is not to be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.