Bad posture does more than make you look slouched. Sitting hunched at a desk or over your phone can contribute to muscle tension, headaches, poor circulation, digestive discomfort and fatigue. The good news is that posture can be improved, and remedial massage can ease the tightness it leaves behind. At Needa Massage in Rockingham, Mark helps clients across Rockingham, Warnbro and Baldivis with posture-related aches and pains.
Spinal health is something many of us take for granted when we are younger. Slouching in the chair, lounging in awkward positions on the couch or scrolling on the phone for hours, our spines rarely get a second thought. Sedentary habits, from a Netflix binge to endless social media, are more popular than ever, and our posture is suffering for it. Here are some of the consequences that can come with bad posture.
How does bad posture affect your digestion?
Slouching at your desk or hunching while seated compresses your abdominal area and digestive tract. That pressure can also affect the bladder and the pelvic floor muscles that help hold it, which for some people can contribute to leakage. Compression over long periods, such as sitting at a desk every day, may also make it harder for your body to digest food comfortably, and it can contribute to heartburn and acid reflux by pushing stomach acid back up the oesophagus.
Can bad posture cause poor circulation?
Good circulation is vital for your overall health, and for muscle repair and recovery. Bad posture can restrict the circulation your body needs, and over time long periods of sitting are linked with problems such as varicose veins and cardiovascular disease. Moving regularly and breaking up long stretches of sitting is one of the simplest ways to look after your circulation.
Why does bad posture cause muscle tension?
A common complaint from people with bad posture is aches and pains in the muscles. Headaches, shoulder tension, sore backs and stiffness are all common symptoms. Leaning your head forward and down to read a monitor or phone puts extra pressure on the neck, and the muscles become overworked trying to counterbalance the forward-tilting weight. The longer a strained position is held, the more likely those muscles are to tighten and ache. If this sounds familiar, our guide to headaches and remedial massage covers one of the most common results.
Does bad posture make you tired?
Your body is always working hard to complete the essential tasks it needs to function, and added strain makes it work harder. Bad posture can send your body into overtime, battling restricted circulation, compressed organs, extra muscle tension and the pain that can come with them. When your body works harder, you feel more fatigued. Fatigue also makes you less likely to get up and move, which is exactly what your body needs, so it becomes a vicious cycle that needs to be broken.
How can remedial massage help with bad posture?
The good news is that hands-on therapy such as remedial massage can help relieve muscle tension, which eases the pain and tightness that postural problems cause. Mark may also be able to show you corrective movements and stretches to help you loosen up even more, and our guide to stretching and its benefits is a good place to start. If back pain is the main issue, read how remedial massage helps with back pain. The Better Health Channel also has useful general advice on back pain.
Simple ways to improve your posture
- Set your screen at eye level so your head is not pushed forward
- Keep your feet flat on the floor and your shoulders relaxed
- Hold your phone higher rather than looking down at it
- Stand, stretch or walk for a few minutes every 30 to 60 minutes
Book a remedial massage in Rockingham
If bad posture is leaving you tight, sore or tired, get in touch today. Mark will treat the muscle tension and help you start moving more comfortably.
Call Mark on 0419 933 897, contact us, or book a session online. We look after clients across Rockingham, Warnbro and Baldivis, in clinic or through our mobile massage service.
Frequently asked questions
What are the consequences of bad posture?
Bad posture can contribute to muscle tension, aches in the neck, shoulders and back, headaches, poor circulation, digestive discomfort and fatigue. Slouching also puts extra load on the spine and the muscles that support it, so those muscles work harder to hold you up. Over time this can leave you feeling tight, sore and tired.
Can bad posture cause headaches and back pain?
Yes, it often can. Holding your head forward to read a screen or phone strains the neck and upper back, and tight muscles there are a common trigger for tension headaches. Prolonged slouching can also overload the lower back. If you get regular headaches, our guide to headaches and remedial massage explains how treatment can help.
Can bad posture affect digestion?
It can. Hunching while seated compresses the abdomen and digestive tract, which may make digestion less comfortable and can contribute to heartburn or acid reflux by pushing stomach acid upwards. Sitting tall with your feet flat on the floor and getting up to move regularly takes pressure off the area.
Can remedial massage help with posture-related pain?
Remedial massage can relieve the muscle tension and tightness that poor posture causes, which eases pain and stiffness. Mark also shows clients corrective movements and stretches to loosen up further. Massage works best alongside better habits, so read more in our guide to how remedial massage helps with back pain.
How can I improve my posture at my desk?
Set your screen at eye level, keep your feet flat on the floor and your shoulders relaxed, and support your lower back. Most importantly, break up long periods of sitting by standing, stretching or walking for a few minutes every 30 to 60 minutes. Small, regular changes work better than trying to hold a perfect position all day.
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