Healthy Posture Guide

As we spend more time sitting at desks and hunching over screens, poor posture has become a common modern concern. Posture is the alignment of your body in any given position, and poor posture can lead to a variety of health issues, including back and neck pain, headaches, and even breathing problems. If you are experiencing issues with your posture, it may be time to seek the help of an orthopedic specialist at OrthoCarolina.

How Can an Orthopedist Help with Posture?

Orthopedic specialists focus specifically in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal problems, including issues related to posture and any of your spine concerns.

Our practitioners are trained to identify the underlying causes of poor posture and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you improve your posture and alleviate any associated symptoms. They can also give you the greenlight for activities and sports you’d like to continue doing or try for the first time.

Who Can Help with Symptoms of Bad Posture?

At OrthoCarolina we host a variety of clinicians and specialists who are trained to identify and treat orthopedic concerns like poor or irregular posture. Some of the practitioners you might see for an evaluative appointment at our clinics include: 

• Orthopedic surgeons
• Physician Assistants
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physical Therapists

There are many alternative options available for improving your posture, such as acupuncture or chiropractor, which might be tempting to try as solutions for posture concerns, but we recommend seeing an orthopedic specialist before seeking out remedies that are not in the medical profession. We strongly recommend making an appointment with an orthopedic specialist through our clinics before seeking out alternative care.

Who Should See an Orthopedist for Posture?

Unfortunately, most people don’t visit an orthopedic specialist until they have an injury or serious health concern. We’d like to change this–at OrthoCarolina we believe that orthopedic health and wellness should be a priority for everyone, whether you’re a highly active person, relatively sedentary, or currently suffering from symptoms of bad posture. Our treatments and clinics cater to patients across all ages and lifestyles.

Symptoms Caused by Poor Posture

It is possible that poor posture is the root cause of the following common symptoms:

• Tech neck
• Hip pain
• Cervicogenic headaches

With guided care and management from fellowship trained surgeons and orthopedic specialists at our clinics, these symptoms can be evaluated, accurately diagnosed, and thoroughly treated. Orthopedists can provide you with specialized treatment for symptoms caused by poor posture, and helpful advice for ongoing management and preventative practices moving forward.

Whether you’re looking to improve your posture while working or gaming at your desk all day, or wish to focus on posture to optimize performance in sports or activities, our specialists are here for you at every step of the way. 

Consultation and Treatment of Posture Issues

When you visit an orthopedic specialist for posture problems, the first step will be a thorough evaluation of your posture and overall musculoskeletal health. This evaluation may include:

• A physical exam
• Imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs
• Diagnostic tests to help identify any underlying issues
• In-depth conversations about your lifestyle and current practices that might be leading to symptoms stemming from poor posture

Once one of our orthopedic specialists has identified the root cause of your symptoms, they will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to improve the overall function of your body.

Managing Posture for Sustainable Activity

Working with an orthopedic specialist to address your posture issues can have a significant impact on your overall health and wellbeing. By improving your posture, you can:

• Reduce your risk of developing chronic pain
• Improve your breathing
• Boost your self-confidence and energy levels

Posture, and spinal health in general, can have a huge affect on your whole body, and your general outlook on whole body health. Your posture can affect everything from your back, neck, shoulders, and even trickle down to body parts like your hips, wrists, hands, and feet. Your whole body is an intricately connected system that works to keep you moving, and a healthy spine with good posture is an important part of ensuring your system is optimized for healthy activity.