Eight Good Reasons to Have Good Posture

  

Eight Good Reason to Have Good Posture

1. Helps your muscles and joints.  Good posture keeps bones and joints in correct alignment so your muscles are used correctly, decreasing the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in degenerative arthritis and joint pain. It also reduces stress on ligaments holding the spine.
2. Healthy spine. Not maintaining good posture and adequate back support can add strain to muscles and put stress on the spine. Overtime the stress of poor posture can change the anatomical characteristics of that spine, leading to the possibility of constricted blood vessels and nerves.
3. Makes you look slimmer and younger. When you have good posture you will instantly take off 3-5 lbs in your appearance. It will also make you look slimmer, younger and your clothes will look better.
4. Your voice will sound better. If you maintain good posture when you speak, and are careful not to let your chest “collapse” in when you exhale, your diaphragm will open making your voice sound better.
5. Portrays a better, more confident image. Good posture will boot self-confidence. Try this: take a deep break and stand straight. You will feel better and feel more confident.
6. Breathing becomes easier and deeper. Try this: sit down and bend over and try to breathe in. Notice how it’s harder to breathe. This is an example of how our muscles and tendons get over restricted and cause a lessening of depth and ease in breathing.
7. Improves circulation and digestion. Good posture increases lung capacity, aiding oxygen transport and nutrition around the body.
8. Changes your frame of mind. Posture also affects your frame of mind and your frame of mind can affect your posture. So, when you are well, felling happy and on top of things, posture tends to be upright and open. In contrast, people who are depressed and in chronic pain often sit or stand slumped. 

Call today for a free posture analysis. 801-703-8503

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

Bone Spurs

Bone Spurs

A bone spur is a tiny pointed outgrowth of bone.

Bone spurs are usually caused by local inflammation. The inflammation stimulates the cells that form bone to deposit bone in this area, eventually leading to a bone spur. For example, inflammation of the ligament that surrounds a degenerating disc between the vertebrae is a common cause of bone spurs of the spine. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon can lead to the formation of a bone spur at the back of the heel bone. 

Bone spurs develop in areas of inflammation or injury in nearby cartilage or tendons. Common locations for bone spurs are in the back, or sole, of the heel bone of the foot, around joints that have degenerated cartilage, and in the spine next to degenerated discs.

Bone spurs may or may not cause symptoms. Bone spurs symptoms include pain, numbness and tenderness if they are irritating adjacent tissues, such as skin, fat pads, nerves or tendons.
Heel spurs have local foot pain, tenderness, and sometimes swelling. This can lead to difficulty walking due to pain at the bottom of the foot with weight-bearing. Sometimes there is accompanying inflammation of the entire bottom of the foot (plantar plantar fasciitis) when the heel spur occurs in the bottom of the heel bone. plan

Spurs in the spine can pinch adjacent nerves to cause numbness, tingling, and pain as well as weakness in the area of the body supplied by the affected nerve. 

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has a solution to help prevent and relieve the symptoms of bone spurs. By building and stretching specific muscle groups, the joints line up gradually for perfect posture and function. A balanced body over time...all done naturally!  

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

FitworksCorrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com 

Dangers of Loading the Spine

Dangers of Loading the Spine

Many exercises can load the spine. Loading the spine causes the vertebrae to compress and get closer together.  You run the risk of bulging or herniated discs and wearing out wearing out the disc between each vertebra when you load your spine.  If you already have vertebrae and or disc damage you will most likely hurt more when you load your spine during exercise. It is very important to no load your spine and be safe while exercising.

You will have your back your whole life.  Protect your back and spine now so you can have a pain free life now and in the future.

Below is a list of a few things to do so you don’t load the spine and protect it when exercising:

• Don’t be on all fours, hands and knee/feet (unfortunately it limits what you can do with yoga and Pilates)
• Don’t using free weights or dumb bells
• When using cable weights make sure the weights you are pulling down on are above your head
• When using cable weights make sure the weights your are  pulling up on are below your waist
• Avoid exercises the rotate your spine

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has a safe approach to exercise so you don’t load your spine and protect your back.  Every exercise we do at Fitworks Corrective Therapy is safe.  We also correct your posture so your body moves and performs the way it’s meant to move for optimal performance.  Imagine your body pain free, looking and moving perfect.  Fitworks Corrective Therapy can help you do that.

 Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

What is a Pinched Nerve?

 What is a Pinched Nerve?

The term pinched nerve describes damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves. Pinched nerves come from compression, constriction, or stretching. Symptoms include one or more of the following:

• Numbness
• Pins and needles
• Burning sensations
• Pain radiating outward from the injured area
• The feeling of having a foot or hand "fall asleep"

Pinched nerves can sometimes lead to other conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. Such injuries may vary from minor, temporary damage to a more permanent condition if not quickly addressed.

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has a solution to help relieve the symptoms of pinched nerves. By building specific muscles and stretching, the posture of the body with become perfect.  The compression and constriction on the vertebrae and joints will be removed reducing the pressure on the nerves for relief of the pinched nerves.

 Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

Hypermobile Joints

Hypermobile Joints

Hypermobility is more than just a good party trick. Hypermobility is the ability of a joint to move beyond its normal range of motion. It is common in children and decreases with age. Having a few hypermobile joints isn't unusual. In most people, joint hypermobility causes no problems and requires no treatment.  But in some people, hypermobility causes joint pain and results in a higher chance of dislocations, sprains and osteoarthritis. With hypermobility the ligaments that provide joint stability are loose and weak. This increases the risk of ligament injury or strain and can cause pain. 

People with hypermobility may experience many difficulties. For example, their joints may be easily injured, be more prone to complete dislocation due to an unstable joint and they may develop problems from muscle fatigue (as muscles must work harder to compensate for the excessive weakness in the ligaments that support the joints). Hypermobility can also lead to chronic pain. It has also been associated with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Symptoms of hypermobility include a dull but intense pain around the knee and ankle joints and the soles of the feet. 

It is important that the individual with hypermobility remain extremely fit - even more so than the average individual - to prevent recurrent injuries. Regular exercise and corrective therapy can reduce symptoms of hypermobility, because strong muscles help to stabilise joints. These treatments can also help by stretching tight, overused muscles and ensuring the person uses joints within the ideal ranges of motion, avoiding hyperextension or hyperflexion. Low-impact exercise is usually recommended for hypermobile people as it is less likely to cause injury than high-impact exercise or contact sports.

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has a unique approach to building muscles around joints to align the skeletal frame reducing risk of ligament injury or stain. By strengthening the muscles around the joints you can reduce the risk of ligament injury or strain that causes pain and problems with hypermobility. 

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

Flat-back

Flat-back

The spine has two curves, which helps it carry the weight of the trunk, arms and neck in a balanced way. The spine curves slightly backwards where it joins the pelvis. At chest level where the ribs join the spine, it curves slightly forward.

Flat-back occurs when there is a loss either of the curves of the spine or both, making the spine straight.

In addition to the appearance of their back being flat, persons with a flat-back may also have the following symptoms:

• A sensation of falling forward
• Chronic pain in the back muscles
• Difficulty with certain daily activities
• Fatigue

Many patients with a significant flat-back deformity require a cane or a walker to assist them when walking because their weight is not centered over their pelvis and legs. Flat-back can be a source of significant pain, disability and frustration.

FitworksCorrective Therapy gives an analytical and thorough approach to identifying your muscle weaknesses and designing a plan you can follow to correct your imbalances and get you looking and feeling FANTASTIC. Give me a call for a free posture analysis and I will set you “straight." 801-703-8503

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com