Early Christmas, Posture Presents

As I was getting caught up on some reading, I revisited some articles on posture. I started reviewing some of my treatment plans and how much posture plays in the problems that I treat as a physical therapist. Poor strength, flexibility and stability all contribute to poor posture and it's effect on our body's performance. A recent post from Joe Kita on "One Small Change" on CorePerformance.com discusses postures effects on athletes.

"Posture doesn’t get much respect from athletes because they think it’s the
domain of prissy etiquette experts. But I’m not Miss Manners, and this
program isn’t going to entail walking around with books on our heads.
Posture is the secret weapon to enhancing performance and—no
exaggeration—life itself.

“About 75 percent of my work with athletes is spent helping them improve
posture, whether they realize it or not,” says Sue Falsone, PT, CSCS, the
director of performance physical therapy for Athletes’ Performance. “The body
needs to have some element of stability in order to produce mobility. When that
foundation isn’t there, you’re going to have a hard time doing just about
anything well.”

So what does this all mean when it comes to the average person that does not think they are an athlete. The last part of the quote tells you everything. "you're going to have a hard time doing just about anything well." This may including standing, walking, doing laundry, performing you job, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling. Sound like anything you do during the day? Most of these activities are included in our daily lives.

There are exercises that can help you to improve you posture, core strength and stability. Changes in posture can happen in 4 weeks or less with some time spent on correcting the muscular imbalances that happen from poor posture. Who needs help with posture? Just about everyone. Most (read between the lines, ALL) of my patients need some work on posture and core stabilization. Core Performance has an excellent program that I try to incorporate into a program of strength and flexibility for everyone I treat. From the high school athlete with shoulder pain to the truck driver with back pain to the grandmother that had a knee replacement, they can all benefit from some sort of core stability.

Stop in to Hardin Rehabilitation and Wellness to find out how core strength and flexbility can help improve your posture and help you feel and look better. Give yourself an early Christmas present! Work on your posture!