Then, as adults, we spend countless hours sitting at desks and computers as well as sitting in LA traffic!

 

That constant sitting posture then becomes the norm for you. Your head tilts forward, your shoulders roll forward, your upper back becomes rounded, and then you slump. Your hip flexors tighten from sitting for hours upon hours, which then hinders free mobility of the hip joints and the pelvis.

 

If you repeatedly move your body with faulty posture or poor body mechanics, your joints don’t have the space to move through their full range of motion, which causes limitations of motion and muscle imbalances, which can then lead to a tendency to injury. This causes, at a minimum, general stiffness and aches and pains, and at its’ worst, degeneration of the spine and other joints of the body as well as severe pain syndromes.

 

Postural reprogramming or training is different for everybody, because everyone is unique and has a different starting point. Dr. Goldstein focuses on taking a holistic and corrective care approach to each patient, rather than just treating the symptoms. Your postural reprogramming is unique to you, and is not a cookie-cutter approach.

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What are common examples of posture that would benefit from postural reprogramming?

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• one shoulder high/other shoulder low

• one hip high/other hip low

• head bent to the side

• slouched back

• flat pelvis

• rounded shoulders

• head forward

• scoliosis

 

Are there specific exercises and movements?

 

For most individuals, the exercises Dr. Goldstein works with focus on strengthening the weak (supporting) muscles so that the overused dominant muscles (which are often contributing to pain and poor posture) can relax. Almost always, that involves strengthening the deep core muscles, the small muscles that hold the shoulders back, and the large gluteal muscles, so that you can stand, sit, and walk straighter. As a bonus, you will look taller!!

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What other changes will I need to make?

 

Since many musculoskeletal conditions stem from poor posture and faulty movement patterns, it’s important to recognize the contributing factors and work with specific lifestyle and ergonomic changes.

 

For instance, it’s important for all of us to learn to take regular breaks every 30-60 minutes of extended sitting. This may mean simply getting up to go to the printer or to have a stretch break.

 

Dr. Goldstein will work with the following:

• your standing and walking posture

• your sitting posture

• your sleeping position

• the height of your desk and/or computer

• the fit and height of your chair

• the adjustment of the seat in your car

• how to get from sitting to standing, or lying down to standing

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Will I be doing an exercise program at home?

 

Home exercises and specific movements are an important part of postural retraining. However, if you were just given a list of exercises to do that typically would help your posture, it’s likely that you would be doing the exercises using just your strong dominant muscles and thus not ultimately helping your posture.

 

In the office, Dr. Goldstein will position your body, holding it, while you perform the specific exercises to strengthen the muscles that are not functioning. This is a very hands-on approach, and results in the weak underused muscles developing muscle memory.

 

Once the underused muscles become engaged, you will be able to continue specific exercises at home.

 

Most importantly, as you learn to make corrective postural changes, you will stand, walk, and sit differently so that the weak underused muscles continue to do their appropriate work. Ultimately, that is how your posture changes.

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Can anything be done about a hump at the bottom of my neck or top of my spine?

 

Sometimes individuals who have been hunched forward for a long time develop unsightly thickened tissue, or fascia, on the back of their necks or at the top of their spine. This thickened fascia is usually not painful, but is the cause of limited rotation or movement of your head and neck. This then contributes to pain in all parts of the neck.

 

This is usually a result of years and years of forward head posture.

 

Luckily, that thickened fascia can be be worked on with deep fascial work to break down the tissue and allow mobility of the area. Dr. Goldstein uses both manual deep tissue treatment (myofascial release) and Graston technique and tools to gently but thoroughly break down the thickened fascia. Then chiropractic adjustments restore mobility to the spine.

 

However, of absolute importance is learning to carry your head over your spine rather than in front of your spine, or the hump will return.

 

This is part of postural reprogramming.

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Can I come for a consultation to determine if I can be helped with postural reprogramming?

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Yes, you can schedule a free 15 minute consultation with Dr. Goldstein for assessment of your posture.

Please call or text 310-567-7977 or email info@dranitagoldstein.com.

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