Can Your Incorrect Posture Cause Back Pain?

Some studies have indicated that even if any correlation does exist between your back pain and body posture, it is quite a weak one. On the other hand there are there are some other studies that have indicated that factors such as smoking, excessive stress, educational level, job satisfaction and exercise are correlated to low back pain. Even though there is some relationship between bad posture and back pain, it should not be a causal link. In many cases pain is the reason to have a bad posture and the reverse is not correct.

If bad posture does cause back pain, there is a solid reason to infer that correction of that posture is possible. However, here are some of the arguments to point out that there is no link between posture and pain.

It has been observed that over a period of time, tissues get adapted to stress

The reasoning that is often put forward for the fact that pain is caused by a bad back posture has its foundation on the concept that it creates too much mechanical stress on some specific areas causing micro damage that gets accumulated over a period of time. At first, though it may sound like a sensible theory, it does not consider the fact that even your tissues have the ability to get adapted to stress. Similar to your muscles getting stronger when they are used to the stress of weight lifting, your tendons, ligaments and joints can get used to local stresses caused by certain postures.

The pain caused is not equal to tissue damage

Another reason why some experts argue that bad posture is not directly associated with pain because even if such postures cause damage to your tissues, damaged tissues are not equal to pain. Various studies have proved that there are different types of tissue damage that are found in people even if they are not suffering from any kind of pain. These studies have consistently proved that a high percentage of people who do not ail from a back, knee or shoulder pain have torn menisci or bulging discs. It is seen that when a person is more than 30 years old, there is a high probability of the existence of tissue damage in body parts where there is no pain.

People react differently to the same incorrect body posture

Another reason why bad postures may not relate to the same kind of pain is that every human being possesses a unique body structure. When one studies the human skeletons, they find that there are marked differences in the spinal curves and the bones’ shapes. Irregularity and asymmetry are common and not an exception to the rule. It is true that your bones’ shape and size may ascertain to some degree on the most comfortable and relaxed posture for moving, sitting or standing. So what may be an incorrect posture for someone may be correct for another person. It is because of such individual dissimilarities, you cannot compare your body posture to an ideal posture and accordingly make an attempt to correct it as it can be problematic.

Bad posture can lead to other health conditions. Come in for a wellness exam to address your posture and how it is affecting your mobility and internal organs. Phoenix Family Medical Clinic is a caring, warm environment that accepts all patients with and without insurance. Ask about our patient discount program!

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