Why is Good Posture Important?

Why is Good Posture Important?

Posture is important for many reasons.  My top reasons for having good posture are:

1. It affects your health and fitness
2. It sends a message to others about how you feel about yourself
3. Good posture can make you appear taller, thinner and more at ease

Identifying Poor Posture

Before you can correct bad posture, you must first identify it. Some of the causes of poor posture include poor sitting and standing postures, inflexibility or weakness in joints and muscles and sitting or standing incorrectly in a workplace such as cradling a phone receiver between your shoulder and neck.

Signs of poor posture include holding your head and neck too far forward or down, slouching and rolling (or hunching) your shoulders, slouching forward while sitting, arching your lower back too much.

If you are sitting on your wallet in your hip pants pocket, place your purse on one shoulder or if you sit at a computer hunched over you most likely have a posture problem. 

The best way to identify bad posture is through a detailed posture evaluation. A posture evaluation will take pictures of you standing in front of a grid as well as doing different muscle tests. With this evaluation you will know exactly your posture issues are.  You will be surprised on how your posture looks.

Benefits of Good Posture

By having good posture, you can prevent or eliminate low back pain, neck strain and carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions and more result from constant muscle strain caused by holding your body in an unnatural position. Poor posture also can quickly put wear and tear on your joints, which can then lead to arthritis and other problems.

Good posture allows you to use your muscles more efficiently because they are in correct alignment. Correct use of the muscles not only relieves pain but  it can also give you an energy boost because your muscles don't have to strain themselves.

Complications of Poor Posture

When you achieve good posture, you will prevent your spine from becoming fixed. One example of this is seen in people who must bend forward for long periods of time at work. Not only are these people at risk for developing a permanent spinal problems, but their postural muscles become imbalanced making it progressively more difficult for them to stand up straight.

Some of the problems from a fixed spine include constricted nerves and blood vessels, muscle pain as well as sore discs and joints. With good posture you can prevent the headaches, breathing problems, fatigue and damage to internal organs that can result from spinal maladjustment.  

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF GOOD POSTURE

Other benefits of good posture include improvement in breathing as well as better circulation and digestion that result from relieving the bodily stress on the torso and allowing your lungs, digestive system and other organs more room to function. As an added benefit, better posture also will improve the quality of your voice if you do not allow your chest to totally deflate when you exhale.

 

Tips for Good Posture

When seated, place both feet on the floor or on a foot rest if they do not reach the floor, keep your knees level with your hips and sit with your back firmly against the chair. If necessary, adjust the chair so it supports your mid and lower back; or place a small cushion or rolled towel behind the curve of your lower back. Don't lean forward or slouch in your chair.

Do not cross your legs, and keep your ankles in front of your knees; keep your shoulders straight and relaxed, with your forearms parallel to the floor. Maintain a slight gap between the back of your knees and the front edge of your seat. Don't sit in the same position for long periods; stand up and stretch often. Remember to stretch your head upwards with chin pulled in slightly.

The key to good standing posture is the same as sitting: maintain a neutral spine, or one that is not stressed by twists or turns that fatigue spinal muscles and put extra pressure on spinal disks. Hold your chest high, with your shoulders back and relaxed; support your weight on the balls of your feet instead of your heels. Keep your feet parallel and spaced at about shoulder-width apart, with knees slightly bent.

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has been successful in helping clients improve their posture because of musculoskeletal imbalances. By building and stretching the muscles the imbalances go away and posture improves.  Give Fitworks Corrective Therapy a call today to get a free posture evaluation and discover how your posture is doing. 801-703-8503

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

References:

www.scoi.com

www.livestrong.com

Leg Length Difference (LLD)

Leg Length Difference (LLD)

Having one leg longer than the other leg or having a leg length difference is more common than you think and can problems and pain in your body. 

Leg length differences (LLD) appear to be the third most common cause of running injuries and occur in 60 to 90 percent of the population.

The most common symptom associated with LLD is backache.  If not fixed it could put you at risk to the following problems and more associated with musculoskeletal imbalances:

• Scoliosis
• Arthritis of the knee
• Arthritis of the hip
• Patellar tendinitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Medial tibial stress syndrome
• Lateral knee pain
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis

Leg length differences usually occur as a result of muscular weakness or inflexibility at the pelvis or foot and ankle complex.

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has been successful in helping clients correct leg length difference associated with musculoskeletal imbalances naturally without surgery or pain pills. By building and stretching the muscles the imbalances go away as well as the pain.  Give Fitworks Corrective Therapy a call today to get a free posture evaluation and discover what is causing you pain.

Source: www.podiatrytoday.com/article/1035

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

FitworksCorrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

Runner’s Knee Pain

Runner’s Knee Pain

Runner's knee is a common problem with runners as well as individuals or athletes who require a lot of knee bending -- like walking, biking, and jumping. It usually causes aching pain around the kneecap.

Runner's knee isn't really a condition itself. It's a term for several knee problems with different causes. Runner's knee can result from:

• Overuse. Repeated bending of the knee can irritate the nerves of the kneecap. Overstretched tendons may also cause the pain of runner's knee.
• Direct trauma to the knee, like a fall or blow.
• Misalignment. If any of the bones are slightly out of their correct position -- or imbalanced -- physical stress won't be evenly distributed through your body. Certain parts of your body may bear too much weight. This can cause pain and damage to the joints. Sometimes, the kneecap itself is slightly out of position.
• Problems with the feet. Runner's knee can result from flat feet, also called fallen arches or overpronation. This is a condition in which the impact of a step causes the arches of your foot to collapse, stretching the muscles and tendons.
• Weak thigh muscles.

Runner's knee is also called patellofemoral pain syndrome.

What Does Runner's Knee Feel Like?

Symptoms of runner's knee are:

• Pain behind or around the kneecap, especially where the thighbone and the kneecap meet
• Pain when you bend the knee -- when walking, squatting, kneeling, running, or even sitting
• Pain that's worse when walking downstairs or downhill
• Swelling
• Popping or grinding sensations in the knee

Fitworks Corrective Therapy has been successful in helping clients relieve runner’s knee pain because of musculoskeletal imbalances naturally without surgery or pain pills. By building and stretching the muscles the imbalances go away as well as the pain.  Give Fitworks Corrective Therapy a call today to get a free posture evaluation and discover what is causing you pain.

Resources: WebMD

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

Fitworks Corrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

The Truth About Back Pain

The Truth About Back Pain

It might be a sharp stab. It might be a dull ache. Sooner or later, eight out of 10 of us will have back pain. Back pain is common -- and so are back pain myths.

Myth: Always Sit Up Straight

Okay, slouching is bad for your back. But sitting up too straight and still for long periods can also be a strain on the back. If you sit a lot, try this a few times a day: Lean back in your chair with your feet on the floor and a slight curve in your back. Even better: Try standing for part of the day, while on the phone or while reading work materials.

Myth: Don't Lift Heavy Objects

It's not necessarily how much you lift, it's how you lift. Of course you shouldn't lift anything that might be too heavy for you. When you lift, squat close to the object with your back straight and head up. Stand, using your legs to lift the load. Do not twist or bend your body while lifting or you may hurt your back.

Myth: Bed Rest Is the Best Cure

Yes, resting can help an acute injury or strain that causes back pain. But it's a myth that you should stay in bed. A day or two in bed can make your back pain worse.

Myth: Pain Is Caused by Injury

Disc degeneration, injuries, diseases, inherited conditions and even muskeletol imbalances can cause back pain.

Fact: More Pounds, More Pain

Staying fit helps prevent back pain. Back pain is most common among people who are out of shape, especially weekend warriors who engage in vigorous activity after sitting around all week. And as you might guess, obesity stresses the back.

Myth: Skinny Means Pain-Free

Anyone can get back pain. In fact, people who are too thin, such as those suffering from anorexia, an eating disorder, may suffer bone loss resulting in fractured or crushed vertebrae.

Myth: Exercise Is Bad for Back Pain

A big myth. Regular exercise prevents back pain. And for people suffering an acute injury resulting in lower back pain, doctors may recommend an exercise program that begins with gentle exercises and gradually increases in intensity. Once the acute pain subsides, an exercise regimen may help prevent future recurrence of back pain.

Myth: Firmer Mattresses Are Better

A Spanish study of people with longstanding, non-specific back pain showed that those who slept on a medium-firm mattress -- rated 5.6 on a 10-point hard-to-soft scale -- had less back pain and disability than those who slept on a firm mattress (2.3 on the scale) mattress. However, depending on their sleep habits and the cause of their back pain, different people may need different mattresses.

Fact:  Corrective Therapy

Fitworks Correct Therapy is a natural, risk-free solution to back pain. The Fitworks technique is not just a pain management program, it's a pain elimination program, designed to improve posture, increase flexibility and loosen muscle tissue, resulting in overall superior health. Even the severest of muscular or skeletal problems can have immediate relief, such as: bulging or herniated disc; neck, back, hip, knee, or ankle pain; scoliosis; kyphosis; lordosis  These painful conditions and more can be treated and have relief within weeks of training therapy, rather than with pain medications, body braces and surgery. After working with hundreds of patients, Fitworks continues to be a safe, effective and long-lasting solution to neck, back, joint and muscle pain across the spectrum.

Information gathered from http://www.medicinenet.com

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist

FitworksCorrective Therapy

www.fitworksutah.com

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