Poor workplace posture is a major cause of back pain, workplace stress and can lead to repetitive strain injuries. This can result in poor employee health and low morale which will ultimately lead onto reduced productivity, lost time and higher business costs.

Our bones hold us up, our joints link our bones, our muscles move the bones around the joints and our nerves facilitate control of the whole. The key to good posture is correct joint alignment, but muscle activity, balance and nerves are all part of the picture.

Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against the forces of gravity while standing or sitting. The key to good posture is training your body to sit, stand and walk in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments during weight-bearing activities.

The Effects of Poor Posture may include:

• Poor joint alignment
• General muscle aches
• Increased shear forces within the spine effecting disc integrity
• Compression of disc and joint structures
• Compression/reduced space for nerves to course through the body
• Reduced blood flow to muscles resulting in increased fatigue
• Overuse injuries

Treatment options treating postural deficiencies may include:

• Core muscle activation
• Workstation setup and ergonomics
• Stretching
• Strength
• Joint mobilisation

Despite best efforts we have all come under extra work load and general life stress where remembering to maintain good posture can be the last thing on our mind. Physiotherapy can help to facilitate normal alignment through stretching of joint and muscle tissue along with ensuring nerve mobility. Home exercise programmes can be designed specifically for you to work on any weak areas you may have, helping you get back to a correct posture that you can maintain as quickly as possible.

Physios excel in the treatment of back, neck, and postural pain as well as workstation advice and injury rehabilitation.

Prevention can be better than the cure, but if you are already experiencing muscle fatigue, back and neck pain, joint soreness, or tightness in your lower back it might be time to see your Physiotherapist.