Excel PT: Posture Affects Everything

Excel PT: Posture Affects Everything

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY Health Tips Newsletter

HOW YOUR

POSTURE AFFECTS EVERYTHING!

How many times have you heard that you needed to “work on your posture?” I heard it growing up, but going through physical therapy school and becoming more educated on the effects of posture on our overall health made all those reminders less annoying. (continued inside)

By Sheri Hihn PT, DPT, AIB-VR

INSIDE : • How Your Posture Affects Everything!

• Patient Success Spotlight • Coupon Corner!

• Relieve Your Back Pain By Fixing Your Posture!

www.excelphysicaltherapy.com

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY Health Tips Newsletter

HOW YOUR POSTURE AFFECTS EVERYTHING!

INSIDE : • Relieve Your Back Pain By Fixing Your Posture! • Coupon Corner!

• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight

straightening your back. Take notice of how high you can raise your arms and the ease of raising your arms. Next, sit upright with good posture. Now raise your arms overhead. Do you notice the difference? It should be easier for you to raise your arms overhead when in good posture versus poor posture. Maintaining poor posture for a long time can cause the body to move in a way it’s not used to (4) . Stiffness and pain are just two ways our body is telling us there is too much stress or tension on an area. Poor posture affects the shoulders, hips, and spine the most. Knowing a proper workplace set-up, being mindful of your posture, maintaining flexibility and strength can improve your posture and decrease the pain you are experiencing. There is good news! Physical Therapy can aid in improving your postural awareness and endurance. At Excel Physical Therapy, we understand the importance of posture. As physical therapists, we are trained to examine posture and improve it by identifying tight and weak muscles, and then implementing a program of exercises and hands-on techniques to help lessen your pain and make it easier for you to maintain good posture. Set up a free screen with a therapist at one of our many Excel locations for a complimentary posture screen. You may be a candidate for physical therapy.

(continued from outside)

Posture has been shown to have an affect on your mood (1) , lung function (2) , tissue length (3) , and your body’s ability to move correctly. Postural awareness, or the conscious attentiveness of your body’s position, is the first step towards improving your posture.

By Sheri Hihn PT, DPT, AIB-VR

With the current pandemic, many people are now working from home in less than ideal work set-up conditions. Sitting at a dining room or kitchen table with a small laptop or tablet does not prove to be the best for sitting posture or spinal health. With prolonged poor posture comes pain. This will happen over time, but it will happen because the muscles become weaker because they are not being used properly (3) . When muscles become weak and are unable to work like they are designed, other surrounding muscles and tissues become tight and less flexible to compensate for the weakness. These tissue length changes affect the body’s ability to move efficiently and correctly, eventually causing pain. Let’s see an example in real life! Sit on the edge of a chair without your back being supported. Slump at your waist, causing your back to round. While sitting slumped, try to raise your arms overhead without

References: 1. Wilson, V., Peper, E. (2004, September). The Effects of Upright and Slumped Postures on the Recall of Positive and Negative Thoughts. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Vol. 29, No. 3. 2. Woo Kang, K., Jung SI., Lee, DY., Kim, K., and Lee, NK. (2016, May). Effect of sitting posture on respiratory function while using a smart phone. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, Vol 28, No. 5. 3. Czaprowski, D., Stoliński, L., Tyrakowski, M., Kozinoga, M., and Kotwicki, T. (2015, March). Non-structural misalignments of body posture in the sagittal plane. Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders, Vol 13. 4. Cramer, H., Mehling, W., Saha, F., Dobos, G., Lauche, R. (2018, April). Postural awareness and its relation to pain: validation of an innovative instrument measuring awareness of body posture in patients with chronic pain. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, Vol 19.

HAVE YOU FOUND YOURSELF STRUGGLING WITH ACHES & PAINS WHILE WORKING FROM HOME? NO REFERRAL NEEDED - CALL EXCEL PT TODAY! WE CAN HELP EASE YOUR PAIN!

Dana McPeak, PT, DPT Dana is a therapist at our Chalfont cl inic location. Read her ful l profi le here: FEATURED PT

Relieve Your Back Pain By Fixing Your Posture!

1. How did you decide to become a physical t he rap i s t and wha t motivates you to work with patients? I decided to become a physical therapist in high school when I learned I had a passion for anatomy and

biology. As an athlete, I was generally interested in movement and wellness, and I knew that I wanted a job in the health field where I could help people. Physical therapy seemed like an opportunity where I could apply science to movement, while helping others. I am so happy I made the decision to pursue a career in this field. 2. In your words, what makes Excel Physical Therapy different from other physical therapy clinics? This company really cares about their patients by providing invaluable one-on-one care that is hard to find. 3. What was your most memorable patient experience? Recently, I was treating a gentleman who was having a lot of pain, weakness, and balance issues. He came into PT one day and told me that he was able to get on and off the floor to play with his grandson, which previously he could not do. He told me that it was the most joy he has had in a long time. It is so rewarding to give patients their life back. 4. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why? I would be a dolphin so that I could spend my life in blue waters off of a beautiful coast somewhere. 5. If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be and why? I would describe myself as personable because I enjoy talking and making connections with people. 6. What do you like to do in your off time, outside the clinic? I love spending quality time and making memories with friends and family. Some of my hobbies include running and yoga. In the summer, I spend most of my free time at the beach kayaking, fishing, and just relaxing!

Did you know that approximately 3% of all emergency room visits tend to be the result of back pain or injury? Back pain is the most commonly reported area of pain, which can cause significant limits to one’s daily life. It is common for back pain to develop as the result of poor posture. If you are experiencing back pain, it is important to realize whether or not it is stemming from the way you stand, sit, and lie down. How do you maintain your posture throughout the day? Do you catch yourself slouching frequently? Do those last couple hours of the school or work day leave you hunched over and ready to leave? If you notice daily or very frequent aches and pains in your back, it is likely that your posture is to blame. When your posture is incorrect, it can cause stress on other parts of your body, resulting in pain, inflammation, or dysfunction. Fortunately, Excel Physical Therapy can help. If you have been noticing persistent pains in your back, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’ll determine the cause of the pain so you can get back to living your life comfortably!

www.excelphysicaltherapy.com

CONTACT US TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT! TELEHEALTH NOW AVAILABLE!

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Patient Success Spotlight

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“I have been in pain for such a long time that I forgot what it was like not to have pain. To this end, Tara, with her patience, understanding and expertise, has helped me to have a new life. She was very methodical while teaching me the correct exercises to do on a regular basis where I was finally able to stop PT and do these exercises on my own. Tara actually listened to me and did not push me to do things which would cause re-injury like other therapists have done to me in the past. In addition, she helped me to identify the base exercises which I could do not only in the morning but later in the day when my back tightened up. These have helped to alleviate pain throughout the day. And lastly, after I completed virtual PT with her which really helped me even more, she made videos of the exercises for me to music. So in case I forget something, I can always watch them again and realize what I am doing wrong. I would certainly recommend your organization to others.” - P.K. (Newton Square Clinic Patient) Don’t delay we can help you! Contact us: Downtown Philadelphia & South Jersey, Northeast Philadelphia and Lower Bucks County, Montgomery County, The Main Line, Delaware County, Chester County, Allentown, Lancaster: www.excelphysicaltherapy.com/contact-us Pay close attention to the set-up of your office or home computer chair! Practicing proper posture while working from home is vital to preventing possible low back and neck pain. Proper Ergonomic Set-up EXERCISE OF THE MONTH “I would certainly recommend your organization to others.”

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Coupon Corner!

COMPLIMENTARY PAIN ASSESSMENT

Your complimentary pain assessment may be conducted via telephone or TeleHealth WE OFFER 33 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS CALL TO SCHEDULE TODAY!

THIS IS DESIGNED TO HELP CORRECT YOUR POSTURE! CALL YOUR THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY PAIN!

Call to schedule. Expires 9-15-20