Posture

Posture

By Karen Benford Smith

Back pain is one of the primary complaints of individuals seeking medical attention and reasons for missing work.  The chief complaint is low back pain with symptoms that include muscle ache, shooting or stabbing pain, limited range of motion, and the inability to stand erect.  Back pain can be eliminated or reduced by following these simple steps.

First, posture is an important part of the back pain problem.  Posture may be the leading cause of lower and upper back pain.  The pressure that is added to the spinal nerves may cause a herniated disc. Overuse of certain muscles may cause Myofascial pain, which affects the connective tissue of the group of muscles in the lower back. If an individual corrects poor posture either during extended times of standing, walking, and sitting back pain may be reduced.  Exercise is another key component for strengthening back muscles.  The exercises usually target muscles in the back, shoulders, and abdomen.  Another way to control good posture is to practice deep breathing exercises.  Yoga participants use deep breathing exercises to strengthen core muscles.  These muscles in the core region of the body will help balance the spinal cord and surrounding muscles as well as keep the body in proper alignment.

Back muscles often become sore from strenuous exercise, poor posture, or overuse. Some back treatment remedies that may be managed at home are rest, heat and ice, over—the-counter pain medication, and analgesics for muscular pain.

Back pain is the number one reason for individuals seek medical consultation and absenteeism from work.  Practicing good posture while walking, standing, and sitting can eliminate or minimize back pain.