The Importance of Good Posture for Shoulder Health
What does good posture have to do with your shoulders? A lot, actually. Keeping your upper body in good alignment plays a major role in shoulder health. Research has shown a strong connection between poor posture and a higher likelihood of rotator cuff injuries. When you slouch forward with your head sticking out, it puts extra stress on the muscles and tendons around your shoulder. This posture is often referred to as upper cross syndrome, a pattern where the muscles in the front of your chest tighten while the muscles in your upper back become weak. This position places your rotator cuff in a vulnerable spot. It reduces your shoulder’s ability to move freely and increases the chance of irritation or injury.
Try it yourself:
Round your shoulders forward and try lifting your arm. Then pull your shoulders back by gently squeezing your shoulder blades together and lift your arm again. The second position should feel easier and give you more movement.
Poor positioning of the shoulder blade, often caused by muscle imbalances, can also lead to shoulder discomfort. Improving these imbalances helps your shoulder blade rest in a healthier position, allowing better movement and reducing your risk of injury.
Try it yourself: Round your entire upper back and lift your arm. Then sit up tall and try again. You’ll probably notice that the second position allows for much smoother movement.
Spending long periods hunched forward can also cause stiffness in your upper and mid-back. When this part of your spine becomes stuck in a rounded position, your shoulders can’t move as well, which puts even more strain on the rotator cuff. Lifting your arm fully requires your upper back to move and straighten properly.
Tips to Improve Shoulder Health Through Posture
• Strengthen the muscles that pull the shoulder blades back, along with the deep muscles in the front of your neck that help support your head.
• Stretch the tight muscles in the front of your chest.
• Do general strengthening exercises for your shoulders, making sure to maintain good posture during each movement.
Call 416.490.0449 or email info@striowskiphysio.com to speak with one of our physiotherapists or book an appointment at our North York physiotherapy clinic located in North York at Leslie and Sheppard, and take the first step towards moving and feeling better!
