Poor posture is a common problem that affects many people and leads to annoying back pain – particularly those who spend a lot of time sitting or standing.

But, did you know that good posture is essential for overall well-being and quality of life too?

When you stand, sit, or walk with good posture, you’re using your muscles and joints in a natural and efficient way.

This means that your body is working at its best, which can help you feel more energetic, confident, and productive.

On the other hand, poor posture can cause your muscles to become weak, your joints to become stiff, and your body to become fatigued leading to back, neck and shoulder pain and frequent headaches.

4 Steps To Correct Posture Which Results In Back Pain

Luckily, this blog shares 4 actionable steps that you can take to improve your posture and reduce back pain.

Step 1: Be Aware of Your Posture

The first step to correcting poor posture is to be mindful of how you hold your body. This means paying attention to your alignment when standing, sitting, and walking.

Aim to keep your shoulders back, your chest open, your spine straight, and your feet parallel.

Practice good posture throughout the day to develop the habit.

Step 2: Strengthen Your Core and Back Muscles

Your core muscles, which include your abdominals, lower back, and hips, play a crucial role in maintaining good posture.

Strengthening these muscles can help support your spine and improve your alignment.

Exercises such as planks, bridges, and bird dogs strengthen your core and back muscles and can lead to a life with much less back pain.

Step 3: Stretch Your Chest and Hip Flexors

Poor posture can cause your chest muscles and hip flexors to become tight, pulling your body out of alignment.

Stretching these muscles can help improve your posture and reduce back pain.

There are simple stretches that you can do at home which can provide relief from muscle tightness, and make it much easier to stay in a better position which will ultimately lead to less back pain.

For your chest stretches, try movements such as the doorway stretch, and for your hip flexors try movements such as the lunge stretch. For office workers or people who spend a lot of time sitting, these are great exercises to counteract common tight areas in the body which can contribute toward poor posture and back pain.

Step 4: Use a Lumbar Support Pillow

Sitting for extended periods can cause slouching, which can lead to poor posture and back pain.

Using a lumbar support pillow can help maintain the natural curvature of your spine and minimize the risk of back pain. Look for one that matches your chair’s size and your body type.

However, be careful when using external supports because overuse can lead to your supporting muscles becoming weaker over time which can actually cause more harm than good.

Bonus Step: Find Out About Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be a helpful tool in correcting posture and relieving back pain.

Our expert physical therapists can assess your posture, identify any areas of imbalance, and develop a personalized plan that includes exercises and stretches to help you maintain good posture.

Within a very short space of time, we have seen patients who’ve battled back pain for years get relief, end their reliance on painkillers, and allowed them to get a full, restful night’s sleep without tightness and discomfort in their back.

Right now. you can arrange a Free Posture And Mobility Assessment, where you can get expert guidance on how to correct your posture which is causing your back pain.

During this free appointment with our specialist physical therapists, you get the time to share your story, get answers to your questions, and learn about the best ways to treat back pain and improve posture.

Don’t want to visit our clinic, and prefer to speak to us over the telephone?

You can!

Simply arrange a free telephone consultation or call our team on 502.509.3136