Postural and Movement Issues
Poor Posture: Rounded Shoulders, Forward Head, and SwaybackMuscle Injuries: Strains and Contusions
1. What Is Poor Posture?
Poor posture includes issues such as rounded shoulders, forward head (tech neck), and swayback, often resulting from daily habits like desk work and smartphone use. These postural imbalances can lead to shoulder stiffness, neck pain, and lower back discomfort, affecting overall health and well-being.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Rounded shoulders and forward head posture typically arise from prolonged sitting, leading to muscle tension in the upper back and neck. Swayback occurs when the pelvis tilts forward, placing stress on the lower back. At Alter Physio, we assess muscle imbalances and joint restrictions that contribute to these posture issues.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
We start with a comprehensive assessment to identify muscle tension and joint limitations causing poor posture. Manual therapy helps release tight muscles, while exercise therapy focuses on core strengthening and pelvic alignment. We also provide self-care techniques to maintain correct posture daily.
4. Expected Outcomes
Improved posture results in reduced shoulder stiffness, neck pain, and lower back discomfort. Correct alignment also leads to smoother, more efficient movements, reducing fatigue.
Walking Issues: Flat Feet, Bunions, Knock-Knees, and Bowlegs
1. What Are Walking Issues?
Walking issues, such as flat feet, bunions, knock-knees, and bowlegs, affect not just the feet but the entire body’s balance. These conditions can lead to pain in the feet, knees, and hips, disrupting daily activities.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Flat feet occur when the foot’s arch collapses, making it harder to absorb shock during walking. Bunions, caused by foot misalignment, result in pain while walking. Knock-knees and bowlegs put uneven stress on the knees, leading to joint wear. We evaluate how these conditions affect overall body mechanics.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
We assess the foot arch, knee alignment, and walking patterns to identify issues. Manual therapy addresses muscle tension, while exercise therapy focuses on strengthening the feet, knees, and hips to support proper walking mechanics.
4. Expected Outcomes
By improving foot and knee alignment, patients experience reduced pain and more stable walking patterns, resulting in a more balanced and less tiring gait.
Movement Habits: Imbalance, Excessive Weight Shift, and Favoring One Side
1. What Are Movement Habits?
Movement habits refer to unconscious patterns that create imbalances, such as favoring one side of the body or leaning excessively. These habits can lead to muscle strain, shoulder stiffness, back pain, and knee discomfort.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Movement imbalances develop from sports-specific motions, daily posture, or habitual movement patterns, leading to muscle asymmetry and joint stress. Over time, this stress results in pain and restricted movement.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
We assess your entire body’s movement and posture to identify imbalance. Manual therapy releases muscle tension, while exercise therapy promotes balanced use of the body. We also provide daily movement tips to correct these habits.
4. Expected Outcomes
Correcting movement habits improves balance, reduces discomfort, and enhances sports performance and daily activities.
Desk Work-Related Issues: Neck, Shoulder, and Lower Back Pain
1. What Are Desk Work-Related Issues?
Long hours of sitting can lead to neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. Additionally, eye strain from computer and smartphone use contributes to tension in the neck and shoulders.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Prolonged sitting often leads to poor posture, such as a forward head or slouched back, creating muscle tension. Eye strain can exacerbate neck and shoulder discomfort.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
We evaluate your posture and desk habits, using manual therapy to relieve muscle tension and correct alignment. Exercise therapy focuses on core stability and posture training to reduce the strain of sitting. We also provide ergonomic tips for your workspace.
4. Expected Outcomes
Reduced pain, improved posture, and better concentration during work result from adopting healthier sitting habits.
Exercise Form Issues: Running Form and Sports-Specific Movement
1. What Are Exercise Form Issues?
Poor exercise form in activities like running or sports can lead to injury and chronic pain, as incorrect movements put stress on specific body parts.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Form issues stem from muscle imbalances, lack of flexibility, or improper technique. For example, incorrect running form may overload the knees or hips, while poor sports technique can strain joints and muscles.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
Using video analysis, we identify problematic movements. Manual therapy improves joint mobility, while exercise therapy focuses on correcting form and enhancing strength and flexibility.
4. Expected Outcomes
Better exercise form leads to improved performance, reduced injury risk, and more efficient movement.
Pelvic Misalignment: Anterior/Posterior Tilt, Imbalance
1. What Is Pelvic Misalignment?
Pelvic misalignment, including anterior/posterior tilts and side-to-side imbalances, contributes to back pain, hip discomfort, and poor posture, impacting overall body movement.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Pelvic misalignment can arise from prolonged sitting, standing on one leg, or muscle imbalances. An anterior tilt strains the lower back, while posterior tilts round the spine, affecting the entire body.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
We assess pelvic alignment and overall posture, using manual therapy to release tension and realign the pelvis. Exercise therapy includes core training and hip strengthening to support balanced movement.
4. Expected Outcomes
Correct pelvic alignment relieves pain, improves posture, and enhances fluid movement.
Conclusion
Postural and movement issues can cause discomfort and limit daily activities. At Alter Physio, we identify and address the root causes, improving overall balance, reducing pain, and enhancing movement. If you’re looking to correct posture and optimize your body’s performance, contact Alter Physio today to start your journey.If you’re struggling with a sports injury, contact Alter Physio today to begin your tailored recovery journey.
