Maintaining good posture is an important part of overall health. According to the Cleveland Clinic -- one of the top four hospitals in the United States -- posture is the position in which a person holds her body upright against gravity when sitting, standing or lying down. An effective posture is one in which the body is trained to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions that place the least amount of strain on muscles, joints and ligaments. Posture treatment is intended to optimize a person's posture and reduce musculoskeletal discomfort.
Anatomy
The body possesses eight principal load-bearing joints: the shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. When these joints are aligned and functioning properly, there is reduced stress on the joints and their supporting tissues, including muscles, tendons and ligaments. A common posture-related problem among Americans is anterior head carriage, or a head and neck position that is too far forward. In most cases, a person with anterior head carriage will also have shoulders that are rolled forward, a hunched upper back and tight upper neck muscles that tilt the chin upward.
Significance
Poor posture can cause significant pain and discomfort. Over time, poor posture may affect the way a person breathes and the health of his joints. According to the Cleveland Clinic, posture treatment attempts to correct poor posture to decrease abnormal joint wearing that could lead to arthritis, reduce ligament-related stress in the spine, prevent the spine from assuming abnormal positions, prevent muscle fatigue and allow the body to use less energy, and prevent muscle strain and overuse injuries. Correcting posture can prevent long-term backaches, and good posture enhances a person's appearance and self-esteem.
Symptoms
Maintaining a poor posture can cause numerous symptoms. According to the Spine Universe website, poor posture is a common cause of spine-related pain. Poor posture can also exacerbate existing spine pain and increase the duration of a musculoskeletal problem. In addition, poor posture can contribute to chronic headaches, temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, and shoulder pain. Poor posture can cause some muscles to be tight and other muscles to be weak. Trigger points -- hyper-irritable nodules or knots -- can form within tight bands of muscle and cause considerable discomfort.
Treatment
Treatment to help correct poor posture can improve a person's health and well-being. Postural exercises that target a person's anterior head carriage are a particularly important and effective way to stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak muscles in the upper body. In his book "Pain Free: A Revolutionary Method for Stopping Chronic Pain," anatomical physiologist Pete Egoscue describes a series of postural exercises that may alleviate posture-related joint pain in each of the body's principle weight-bearing joints. Postural exercises are an important part of a well-rounded exercise program or routine.
Benefits
Numerous benefits are associated with developing and maintaining a healthy posture. According to the Cleveland Clinic, good posture improves bone and joint alignment, decreases wear and tear on the body's joints, helps prevent certain inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, reduces the likelihood of spinal fixations, decreases stress on the spinal discs and ligaments, and improves muscle efficiency and vitality. Proper posture also decreases the likelihood of overuse injuries, improves breathing efficiency, wards off back pain and enhances a person's aesthetic appeal.
