Basically, posture is how you maintain or hold yourself when walking, sitting, standing, bending, etc. Bad posture is when the spinal bones (vertebrae) aren’t in the correct alignment. Poor or bad posture is one of the most common causes of back pain. At some point in our lives, many of us face back pain. Other reasons leading to back pain could be an injury, an accident, or a spinal deformity (e.g., a congenital condition like scoliosis). Ignoring practicing a good posture and maintaining the slouching posture puts excessive pressure on the spine, hence, spine-related issues.
How can poor posture cause back pain?
With a correctly aligned spine, the weight of the body is evenly distributed among the vertebrae. However, with poor posture, the spine is curved resulting in the lumbar region of the spine bearing most of the weight. The lumbar spine is the lower back consisting of five vertebrae (L1-L5).
Poor or bad posture can lead to any of the following conditions:
- Abnormal curvature of the spine
- Strain on your lumbar spine causing lower back pain
- Neck pain and tightness of the muscles leading to tension headaches
- Poor posture can put pressure on the muscles leading to poor sleep
- Office work requires prolonged sitting, and poor posture can cause digestive or stomach problems.
Other causes of back pain:
Following are some of the common structural problems that can cause lower back pain:
- Herniated disc or slipped disc
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Spinal Deformity
- Osteoporosis
Bad posture symptoms:
You might wonder, what are the signs of bad posture? Symptoms of poor posture include the following:
- Rounded shoulders
- Muscle fatigue
- Back pain
- Body aches
- Headaches
Common habits related to poor posture:
There are several unsupported postural habits among people that develop while performing certain activities. These activities may include:
- Slouching on the chair or couch in the office
- Lifting heavy objects with an incorrect posture, i.e., using your back.
- Sitting or lying on the bed and using the laptop or phone
- Walking in a hunched manner
- Leaning on one leg
- Text neck – the posture of the neck while texting
- Sedentary lifestyle
If you have a habit of one or more of the above-mentioned activities, it’s more likely that you will face back pain.
How can you improve your poor posture leading to back pain?
- Watch out for your posture during daily life activities like sitting, walking, or bending.
- Maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle (e.g., stay active)
- The workplaces should be at a comfortable height.
- Don’t sit for too long, switch your positions and take brief breaks & walks
- Stay active, perform gentle exercises
- Make sure your back, thighs, and hips are fully supported.
When to seek medical attention?
If you feel your neck pain and back pain are increasing or are continuous, consult a medical specialist. KKT Orthopedic Spine Center offers a revolutionary non-surgical spinal and back pain treatment. Book your consultation with KKT Orthopedic Consultants in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and other operational centers across Pakistan.