Chiropractors at 4 Life Chiropractic have specific training to assess and treat postural changes and posture related pain.

 Understanding Posture and Postural Pain
One of the most common complaints patients have when seeing a chiropractor relates to their posture or postural based pain and tension. Posture refers to the way your body is positioned when you stand, sit and sleep. There is a common misconception around the ‘perfect posture’, which is though to be as being as straight up and down. Instead, a great posture should be the position you can comfortably be in that offers your joints stability and strength; without overloading them.
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Although a good posture can slightly vary between individuals, there are a few signs that you can look out for that may indicate poor posture. The most common postural deficit in the world is called ‘Upper Cross Syndrome’ (UCS). The main things seen in UCS are:
The shoulders roll forward because of tight pectoral muscles.
The mid and upper part of the spine have an increased curve and you begin to hunch.
The head sits in front of your body and your chin pokes forward.
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Understanding Signs that Poor Posture Needs Chiropractic Review
These traits of poor spinal posture are seen in people of all ages and backgrounds. Some of the symptoms that go hand in hand with UCS include:
Constant tension and/or aching through the shoulders, neck and in between the shoulder blades (as you require your upper traps to support the spine and put your rhomboids under constant stretch).
Frequent headaches, often felt as tension headaches stemming from the top of the neck into your temple and forehead (due to overactive suboccipital muscles).
Restricted range of motion through the neck, mid back and shoulders
Seeing yourself in a reflection and feeling like you’re curling forward.
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The severity of UCS can vary depending on your work, exercise habits and the way you sit and sleep at home. If you are in one position for long enough, your muscles begin to tighten, shorten, and stay in this position (this is called muscle memory). So, think about working in an office where you slouch and push your face towards the screen; or working on the tools with your arms out in front of yourself all day. The repetition of all these positions and movements slowly build up to the poor posture you may be feeling or noticing.
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The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Postural Pain
The good news is that there is something you can do about it. Here at 4 Life Chiropractic, we are able to identify, relieve and rectify any postural concerns or pains. Firstly, your Chiropractor will take a thorough history to understand what your concerns are and where they may have come from. Then, a physical examination is performed, which will assess your spinal function, postural markers and any areas of inflammation or tension. Once the whole picture is formed, your 4 Life Chiropractor will create a plan that is tailored to your goals and lifestyle.
A common treatment and active care plan for UCS includes:
Improving spinal and shoulder mobility with a range of mobilization techniques.
Releasing tight muscles through the chest, neck and shoulders either with massage, dry needling or Graston.
Strengthening the deep neck flexors and rhomboids (these are the muscles that help keep your shoulder blades and head back).
Postural awareness exercises.
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The evidence suggests that the sooner somebody identifies and takes action to change their posture, the easer it is to fix. So if any of this information is relevant to you or someone close to you, just know there are ways to get on top of it and live a more comfortable life. Feel free to get in contact with 4 Life Chiropractic to improve your posture.
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