A Comprehensive Look at How Posture Affects the Shoulder
Shoulder pain is an all-too-common complaint, making routine activities like lifting, typing, and even sleeping difficult. It seems like every week we get a patient who comes to us with shoulder pain related to poor postural habits.
A lot of people know the old song about how the foot bone is connected to the knee bone (and the knee bone is connected to the thigh bone and so on). In the world of physical therapy, we call this regional interdependence. This means something in one area of the body is affecting another area. As the song says: it’s all connected.
Well, this is definitely true when it comes to the functioning of our shoulder joints. Poor postural habits and prolonged slumped postures put the shoulder in a vulnerable position, making it susceptible to pain or injury. The good news is our therapists at Prevail Physical Therapy have extensive training in identifying all the factors that are contributing to your shoulder pain and, most importantly, how to resolve them, one by one!
How Posture Impacts the Shoulder
One significant factor contributing to shoulder pain is Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS). This condition is characterized by postural changes that affect how the muscles of our upper back and shoulder girdle work, which in turn affects the normal movement patterns in the entire upper portion of the body.
The classic signs of Upper Crossed Syndrome include:
- Forward head posture: The head is positioned forward in relation to the shoulders.
- Rounded shoulders: The shoulders are rounded forward, causing the upper back to appear hunched.
- Increased thoracic kyphosis: The upper back has an increased curvature, leading to a rounded appearance.
- Protracted shoulder blades: The shoulder blades are positioned more forward and away from the spine.
- Weak deep neck flexors: The muscles at the front of the neck that help stabilize the head are weak.
- Tight pectoral muscles: The muscles in the chest area are tight and may contribute to the rounded shoulder posture.
- Weak scapular stabilizers: The muscles that stabilize the shoulder blades are weak, leading to altered movement patterns.
These issues often lead to shoulder pain, limited range of motion, and impaired muscle function. Although the signs are common in a lot of people, not everyone with these signs will have the same symptoms. This is why it is essential to consult one of our physical therapists to identify your specific needs and design a tailored treatment plan that addresses your situation.
The Role of Physical Therapy in Resolving Your Pain
The first step to resolving your shoulder pain is a comprehensive evaluation. Our physical therapists will conduct a thorough history and physical exam that includes an assessment of your posture as well as the function of your shoulder blade musculature to identify any obvious changes to muscle activation and movement patterns.
Based on the assessment, our physical therapists will design tailored exercise regimens that address not only muscle length and strength but also neuromuscular factors. This could lead to more lasting relief and functional improvement.
Our team uses a functional approach that is rooted in neurology. We consider the interaction between your nervous systems, biomechanics of your spine and shoulder joints, as well as muscle function. This allows us to not only identify and address any imbalances in muscle length and strength but also from neuromuscular factors like muscle recruitment.
These exercises may include work on your spinal joint mobility and strengthening exercises to correct any postural dysfunctions contributing to your conditions. Our team spends a lot of time educating you about how you are holding and moving your body to ensure you have the tools to train your body in the proper movement patterns that help to correct imbalances and offer lasting relief.
Take the First Step Towards Lasting Relief Today
If you’re experiencing persistent shoulder pain, limited range of motion, or discomfort in your upper body, the time to act is now. These signs are not just distressing; they can have a long-term impact on your quality of life and overall well-being.
Reach out to Prevail Physical Therapy today for a comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment plan designed to restore balance to your muscles, improve your posture, and, most importantly, alleviate your pain!
Our Patients Get Great Results
“Keith, my physical therapist, is excellent. The stretches and strengthening exercises he has taught me for my neck, shoulders and chest have changed so much. Keith is kind, funny, and knows his stuff! They’ve got all the bells and whistles at Prevail to get you back to living and to stop the hurt and aches. Highly recommend.”
– Katie D.
5 Healthy
Eating Resolutions
What’s your New Year’s resolution this January? Many individuals choose the New Year as a perfect time to start getting healthier and improving their diet. If this is your resolution, stick around to discover 5 ways you can eat healthier.
1. Drink more water
Drinking water is one of the most essential actions you can take to improve your short and long-term health. Dehydration can affect concentration, alertness, short-term memory, and can cause fatigue. Drinking enough water each day also helps support your kidney health and your physical performance. The benefits go on and on!
2. Eat more Omega-3s
Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods may help you maintain a healthy blood pressure. According to research, omega-3 fatty acids can help improve your mood, which is something we all need during the short, dark days of winter.
Aim for two servings of fish per week, preferably fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and some types of tuna high in omega-3s. Not a fan of fish? Choose walnuts and flax as good non-fish sources of omega-3s.
3. Substitute meat with tofu
Did you know that restricting your meat intake is good for the environment and your heart? When you substitute soy for meat, you will naturally consume less saturated fat. While tofu lacks authentic flavor, this is what makes it so versatile—it absorbs the flavors of a stir-fry sauce or marinade like a sponge, making it taste fantastic!
4. Cut back on salt
Excessive salt consumption can raise blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Watch how much salt you add to your food and avoid high salt snacks– like potato chips.
5. Limit your sugar intake
Too much sugar is not only bad for our teeth, but it also increases the risk of unhealthy weight gain and obesity, which can lead to severe and long-term health issues. Instead of selecting sugary drinks, opt for cool refreshing water. You can also replace sweets and candy with healthy snacks, like carrots and hummus.
Do you have a family insurance plan or HSA?
Have you had surgery this year?
Have you used your insurance more than usual?
If you answered YES, you are more likely to have met your insurance deductible for the year and have a $0 balance remaining in your out-of-pocket expenses. This means the cost of physical therapy could be minimal or even completely covered by your insurance plan. Now is the time to come in for physical therapy! Are you feeling aches and pains? Let us help you get a head start on a pain-free 2025.
Call us today! We’ll guide you to affordable treatments for pain relief.
Come Back to Physical Therapy at Prevail!
Feeling pain or slowed down? Come back to Prevail Physical Therapy for a personalized plan to get you strong, pain-free, and moving again!
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Quick & Easy Healthy Recipe
Roasted Root Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 12 oz rutabaga, peeled & cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 8 oz celery root, peeled & cut into 1-inch pieces
- 8 oz peeled baby carrots
- 8 oz fingerling potatoes
- 3 medium parsnips, peeled & cut into 1-inch-thick slices
- 1 medium fennel bulb, cored & cut into thin wedges
- 2 shallots, peeled & cut into thin wedges
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine rutabaga, celery root, baby carrots, fingerling potatoes, parsnips, fennel, and shallots in a shallow roasting pan. Add oil, salt, and pepper; toss to coat. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Increase oven temperature to 425°F. Bake, uncovered, about 10 minutes more or until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned.
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Our purpose at Prevail Physical Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.
Meet Our Team
Bruk Ballenger
PT, DPT
Sam Kidder
PT, DPT
Rachel Krieder
PT, DPT
Keagan Tice
PT, DPT
Adam Waggoner
PT, DPT
Stephanie Dunagan
Office Manager
Vanessa N.
Client Services Coordinator
