Burjeel Medical Centre physiotherapist highlights negative effects of bad posture

MUSCAT: Poor posture is the new first-world problem that’s causing more mental and physical health complications than most people realise.

Siriyaporn, the physiotherapist at Burjeel Medical Centre, explains about the negative effects of bad posture on one’s body and mood. Siriyaporn completed her bachelor’s in physiotherapy from the Thammasat University in 2005, Thailand. She completed her postgraduate certification in manipulation physiotherapy in 2009 from the Mahidol University, Thailand. Siriyaporn started her career in 2005 at the Phuket Hospital, Thailand as a physiotherapist. In 2011, she moved to the Bangkok Hospital. She has also successfully handled her own physiotherapy practice in Thailand, says a press release.

Siriyaporn has extensive experience in her field. She specialises in treatment of musculoskeletal problem, sport injury, office syndrome as well as post-operative rehabilitation. The five problems that affect one’s body due to bad posture are:

1. Depression and stress

In a study conducted by San Francisco State University, students were asked to walk down a hallways in a slouched position or by skipping. Those who slouched while they were walking experienced increased feelings of depression and decreased energy levels. When the body is slouched and constricted, it prevents it from working optimally which results in a poor mood.

When the body remains in a seated position for an extended period of time, all of your internal processes slow down. As a result, your energy levels decrease. You may start feeling irritable, tired or aggravated. Slouching also causes your body to compress and constrict. When in this position, your heart and lungs are forced to work harder to pump blood and circulate oxygen. This causes undue stress on your internal organs and your muscles. Sitting does more than just constrict your heart and lungs, it also constricts your intestines. This can make digestion uncomfortable and cause a host of issues. If you are experiencing digestive distress, you may want to take a closer look at your posture and how much time you are spending sitting each day. Slouching has even been attributed to digestive issues such as acid reflux and hernias.

Poor posture may do more than just weaken your digestive system; it may also cause you to develop that unsightly belly pouch that women dread. This paunch affects both heavy and thin women and can be attributed to slouching and poor sitting habits.

By sitting up straight, you will not only improve your digestion, but lose a few inches in your waist too. Oppo medical elastic posture aid the lungs function optimally when the diaphragm and rib cage can properly expand. Poor posture restricts blood and oxygen flow, which makes it difficult to breathe and speak.

Proper posture becomes even more important when engaging in physical exercise simply because the body requires a higher oxygen intake to meet the physical demands of the activity.

4. Back, shoulder, neck pain

Back, shoulder and neck pain are the most common effects of poor posture, and the most noticeable. Sitting in a slouched position at your desk for an extended period of time puts a great deal of stress on your upper body, especially if your body is not properly supported. In time, poor posture can also cause a misalignment in the spine and lead to even more pain. In addition, it also causes joint stress. Joints are protected by connective tissues that create a supportive cushion. If the spine is misaligned, weight or stress needs to be redistributed to compensate for your slouching.

From neck and back pain to blood flow and respiration, posture can have a major impact on how we live and how we feel every day. Tension headaches are another common side effect of poor posture. Office workers tend to experience more headaches simply because they are putting so much tension and strain on their bodies by sitting all day.

The tension in your neck, shoulders and spine eventually work their way up to your head and cause a tension headache.

More often than not, these headaches are attributed to a poorly set up workstation.

Improve your posture

Invest in an ergonomic chair, keyboard and mouse. If you have to spend the day working in a chair, you want to make sure that it’s providing you with the support you need. Get up and stretch every half hour or every hour, if possible. Focus on exercises that strengthen your core. A strong core will make it much easier for your body to remain in an upright position. Yoga encourages good posture. A large portion of the poses require you to keep your shoulders and chest broad, which opens the lungs and allows you to breathe easily.