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Posture: What Is It?
We could start with the textbook definition:
“A position in which someone holds their body while standing or sitting.”
It’s a pretty vague definition, in my opinion. But what does it really mean?
One keyword that would make this definition more impactful is “sustained.” A sustained posture is what we strive to avoid—yet ironically, it’s what most people struggle with the most.
How Does Poor Posture Affect You?
In today’s world, many jobs require long hours in a sustained posture. And our bodies don’t like that.
Why?
Because movement is essential for keeping our joints and muscles healthy. It promotes optimal blood flow, maintains joint flexibility, and prevents stiffness.
In fact, our bodies are designed for movement. Evolutionarily, humans were constantly on the go—walking, hunting, gathering. Sitting for hours? That’s a modern problem our bodies haven’t fully adapted to.
Even small movements, like shifting in your chair or tapping your foot, help keep blood circulating. Research suggests that staying in one position for too long can start negatively affecting circulation and joint health.
When we deprive our bodies of movement, we create the perfect conditions for a big, scary word: pain.
While avoiding a sustained posture altogether may not be possible, managing it can significantly reduce its negative impact on your body—and that’s where physiotherapy comes in.
How Can Physiotherapy Help Correct Poor Posture?
Here are a few key ways physiotherapy can improve your posture and support your physical health:
1. Manual Therapy & Stretching
Techniques like deep tissue release, dry needling, cupping, joint mobilizations, and manipulations—combined with passive stretching—can provide temporary pain relief and muscle relaxation. These are especially useful for tight, shortened muscles caused by prolonged sitting.
2. Exercises
Home exercises help increase blood flow to stiff muscles, improve mobility, and relieve pressure on overworked joints that may be contributing to your pain.
3. General Movement & Postural Advice
Posture isn’t just a position—it’s a habit. The truth is, there’s no single “correct” posture—the key is movement. Breaking the habit of staying in one position for too long can make a big difference. Setting reminders to move, stand, or walk throughout the day can help prevent postural pain or even reduce existing discomfort.
4. Ergonomics & Your Environment
Your surroundings play a huge role in posture and pain management. Small adjustments—such as desk and chair height, natural light exposure, and the positioning of your arms while working—can make a big difference in reducing strain on your body.
Beyond Posture: Other Factors That Influence Pain
While posture is important, other factors can also contribute to pain—sometimes in ways we don’t immediately recognize.
In my clinical experience, I’ve seen that:
Stress: People going through high periods of stress often report spinal pain, even when their posture and movement habits are relatively good.
Sleep, Nutrition & Hydration: Poor sleep and dehydration can exacerbate discomfort, making even minor postural issues feel worse.
Screen Time & Blue Light: Reducing blue light exposure—especially in the evenings—has shown to reduce the frequency of migraines.
The Bottom Line
Not all of these factors may apply to you. You might already sleep well, exercise regularly, and use a standing desk—yet still experience neck pain. That’s the beauty of physiotherapy: there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
Every treatment plan is tailored to you—your story, your habits, and your environment. Understanding why something is affecting your posture is often the key to reducing pain and improving your overall well-being.
