When you have good posture, your back shows an "S" curve, and it's easy for you to move and perform daily activities. Lack of fitness and poor habits like slouching can lead to poor posture, according to the State of Victoria, Canada's Better Health Channel. Over time, some muscles become weak because of disuse. When these muscles shorten, it can compact your vertebra and make your posture worse. Poor posture can have many symptoms. Consult a health care professional if you have pain or need to correct your posture.
TMJ
Poor posture is associated with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, says "Manual of Temporomandibular Disorders," author Edward F. Wright. Your temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your head's side and allows you to yawn, chew and talk. The most common form of poor posture--forward head posture--is associated with this disorder, also called TMJ. If you have forward-head posture, your head's center of gravity is forward of your spine's weight-bearing axis. This increases pressure and strain on ligaments, muscles and joints. With TMJ, you may experience stiff jaw muscles, painful clicking or popping in your jaw, pain through your neck or face, and limited movement or locking in your jaw, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Back Pain
You may find that tasks you previously completed with ease become difficult due to pain in your back. This pain is sometimes a symptom of poor posture, says chiropractor Bruce Blakely of Mission Village Chiropractic in San Diego, Calif. In fact, back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States and practicing good posture reduces your risk for this ailment, reports the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Keeping your abdominal and back muscles fit also helps, because weak muscles may not properly support your spine. Poor abdominal strength is a leading cause of poor posture, notes Blakely. High heels, sitting on a wallet and sitting at a computer for extended time periods are other top causes.
Head, Neck and Body Pain
Poor posture can lead to headaches, even among children, says J. Kratenová, lead author for a study published in the "Journal of School Health." Poor posture is a common cause of neck pain as well, Blakely says. Other body aches and muscle fatigue also are symptoms of poor posture, notes the Better Health Channel.
Visible Symptoms
Some symptoms of poor posture are visible. These include a potbelly and rounded shoulders, according to the Better Health Channel. You also may end up with knees that remain bent when you are walking or standing and a head that leads forward or backward.
References
- Better Health Channel: Posture
- "Manual of Temporomandibular Disorders"; Edward F. Wright; 2009
- MedlinePlus: Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
- PubMed: "Journal of School Health"; Prevalence and Risk Factors of Poor Posture in School Children in the Czech Republic; J. Kratenová, et al.; 2007
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Back Pain
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