Postural Pain and Disorders

Stand taller by improving your posture and find relief from discomfort

Postural pain often develops slowly — from long hours at a desk, stress, or habits that pull the body out of alignment. But its effects can be far-reaching: headaches, back pain, fatigue, and even mood shifts. At Embody Health & Wellness, we help you reconnect with your body’s natural alignment. Through postural assessment, movement re-education, and integrative physical therapy, we guide you toward sustainable posture that feels as good as it looks — improving energy, mobility, and overall well-being.

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Learn more about Postural Pain and Disorders

Good posture keeps your spine in a neutral position, keeping your muscles, joints, and ligaments aligned without placing stress on them. Since bodies come in all shapes and sizes, good posture may not look the same for everyone, but some common, recognizable characteristics exist. 

Similarly, there are several common posture problems. Types of bad posture include:

  • Kyphosis, sometimes called “hunchback,” where your shoulders are rounded forward.
  • Forward head posture, where your head is too far forward instead of aligned over your spine. This is sometimes called “tech neck” since it’s associated with using phones and computers. 
  • Swayback, which is when your lower back curves inward too much.
  • Flatback, where the spine lacks a healthy curvature.

Poor posture and slouching often cause symptoms like back pain, neck pain, headaches, muscle and joint strain, and increased risk of injury. The longer posture goes uncorrected, the more problems and damage it may cause. 

Just as posture can affect our body and well-being in many ways, many things can affect our posture. Postural pain and disorders can arise from a variety of factors, including:

  • Poor posture habits: Consistently standing, sitting, or lying in unnatural or uncomfortable positions can strain your muscles, joints, and spine.
  • Muscle imbalances: Weak or tight muscles can create imbalances that throw off your alignment and place undue stress on certain parts of your body.
  • Injury or trauma: Accidents or sports injuries can lead to postural problems by affecting the alignment of bones, muscles, and joints.
  • Congenital conditions: Some people are born with structural abnormalities that cause postural problems. For example, being born with one leg longer than the other can offset your alignment and lead to posture problems.
  • Medical conditions: Certain conditions, such as scoliosis, osteoporosis, or arthritis, can contribute to postural pain and disorders.
  • Poor ergonomics: Repetitive or prolonged activities in work or daily life can cause postural pain if proper ergonomics are not followed. For example, using a computer or carrying heavy loads may strain the neck, shoulders, and back.
  • Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety, and depression can cause muscle tension and affect posture, leading to postural pain.

Physical therapy is often the most effective solution for poor posture and related pain or dysfunction. During your initial appointment, our highly-trained physical therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to assess your postural dysfunctions, asymmetrical adaptations, and any interferences in your polyarticular chain that may be causing accompanying symptoms. 

We will create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs to restore your posture and improve your overall well-being. The techniques and treatments your therapist uses depend on the type and cause of your postural problems. 

In the case of muscle imbalances, your therapy will likely focus on exercises to strengthen key muscles, which is often a part of mobility and balance PT. If poor posture habits or ergonomics are the problem, we can help you learn new habits and change how you sit, stand, and exercise to avoid muscle strain. For patients struggling with stress and muscle tension, we may utilize cupping and manual therapy to relax the muscles.

Many people are unaware of how their posture affects their daily life. They may be living with frequent back pain, headaches, or even a pinched nerve and not realize poor posture is to blame. Improving your posture can have many benefits, including:

  • Reduced pain in your head, neck, back, and shoulders
  • Lower risk of injury
  • Less fatigue or discomfort when walking or standing
  • Improved mobility and balance
  • Reduced muscle tension
  • Helps prevent arthritis 

If a postural disorder is causing you discomfort and restricting your activity, physical therapy can help. We’ll help you stand tall and face each day pain-free with your head held high!

I felt like when I spoke, Dr. Viscovind really listened. The care and attention I received during my visits was excellent. I appreciate that the program I was out on was a collaboration between my needs and the expertise of the staff

– Colin

Take the Next Step

Wherever you are in your healing journey, we’re here to walk alongside you. Whether you have questions, want to learn more, or are ready to begin care, our team is just a call or message away. Reach out when you’re ready — we’d love to connect and help you take the next step toward feeling better in your body.

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