Postural physiotherapy focuses on the realignment of the body’s posture. After a thorough posture assessment, non-invasive treatments are carried out to properly realign the body, achieving a more harmonious posture that brings clear benefits: better body ergonomics, fewer contractures and back pain, improved flexibility and physical condition.
New habits that harm posture
Rounded shoulders, tilted head, forward neck, and cervical pain… Smart working and excessive smartphone use have certainly not had a positive impact on our postural education. Added to this are the forced positions we often assume at work, making discomfort a widespread issue.
Maintaining the same position and trying to stay still for long periods, regardless of the type of work, actually leads us to make many unconscious micro-movements. We change position to feel better and more comfortable, but why do we end up adopting the wrong posture?
The main cause of poor posture
In most cases, poor posture is caused by gravity. In response to this force, we tend to assume an incorrect posture. While fighting against gravity, the spine and muscles adopt more comfortable positions, which are not always the best in the long term.
Although the term posture suggests something static, it’s important to remember that our body is made to move and is never completely still. Not surprisingly, the term kinesiotherapy—another way to refer to postural physiotherapy defines the branch of physiotherapy that uses movement as therapy (kinésis in Greek means movement). Postural physiotherapy is therefore a treatment that can greatly help restore correct body alignment.
Other causes of poor posture
Beyond posture problems caused by certain jobs or everyday habits, such as sedentary lifestyle or spending too much time on the phone or computer, other causes include:
- sudden bone growth during adolescence;
- some types of sports;
- after an injury, for example following a cast or surgery;
- genetic factors.
The ideal posture
In an ideal posture, all the body’s joints, from the feet to the head, are perfectly aligned. As a result, the effort of the muscles responsible for keeping us upright is minimal. The head aligns with the pelvis, and the spine maintains its natural curves without signs of scoliosis.
For a concrete example, just look at athletes: they avoid poor posture more easily because they train consistently, and their neuromuscular system responds better to gravity.
What happens when postural balance is compromised
Poor posture, besides being visible and painful, can eventually lead to more serious consequences, especially if combined with a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition:
- muscles may shorten, causing limited joint mobility and contractures;
- joints may become hypo- or hypermobile, and without proper muscular balance, this may cause dysfunctions;
- the pelvis may tilt forward or backward, altering muscle balance or joint position above and below;
- hips in incorrect positions may cause issues in the knees and ankles.
Postural analysis
Observing posture can reveal deviations from an ideal model, asymmetries, rotations of skeletal segments, and altered muscle tone.
Postural analysis helps identify inputs from different body systems and detect changes that negatively affect weight distribution, balance, and spatial orientation. Functional movements are also assessed these are everyday movements that may cause pain or dysfunction.
The benefits of postural physiotherapy
The main benefit of this therapy is the reduction of pain caused by poor posture.
Another benefit, especially for competitive athletes, is the treatment and reduction of pain related to athlete’s foot.
This therapy is also highly beneficial in recovering from lower limb injuries, such as sprains and, in particular, ankle sprains.
Among the most commonly used treatments are:
- Heat/cold therapy
- Physical therapy
- Traction
- Hydrotherapy
- Soft tissue manipulation
- Joint mobilization
- Dry needling
- Laser or light therapy
- Kinesio taping
If you are interested in starting this rehabilitation journey, you can contact our specialized physiotherapists, who will guide you through the most suitable treatment plan.
Polispecialistico Paradiso is here for you!
Contraindications of postural physiotherapy
Postural physiotherapy is recommended for anyone experiencing pain due to injury or poor posture. However, it is not suitable in the following cases:
- women during pregnancy;
- people with degenerative muscle diseases;
- people with inflammatory conditions, especially in the musculoskeletal system;
- people with infectious diseases.
The benefits of postural physiotherapy involve the whole body, not just the spine. Our team of specialists is here to help improve your posture and quality of life.
