Are you experiencing pain due to poor posture? The position in which we hold our bodies is our posture. If we don’t have good posture while standing, sitting, or lying down, it will eventually lead to pain and dysfunction. A repetitive motion injury is a term used to describe damage and pain caused by repetitive movement and overuse. Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Postural Syndrome and Repetitive Motion Injuries is about how Acupuncture can help the above.
What is Postural syndrome?
Firstly, Postural syndrome causes constant aching pain in the cervical (neck) and thoracic (mid back) regions. Often, the pain occurs by working at a desk. Because of working at a desk with a hunched forward head posture, an imbalance between the anterior (front) and posterior (back) muscles of the neck and upper mid back occurs.
Secondly, the muscles such as the pectoralis (chest/ breast muscle) and upper trapezius (pair of triangular muscles extending over back and neck) become chronically shortened and tight in adapting to the position. As a consequence, your midscapular (between shoulder blades) muscles weaken due to the constant strain of holding this position. This includes your middle and lower trapezius and rhomboids (upper back muscles connecting between your spine and two shoulder blades). Your deep neck flexors (front neck muscles close to the spine that bend neck forward) also weaken due to this constant strain. If left uncorrected, this causes an imbalance in your normal neck curve causing an abnormal lordosis (abnormal curve inward) in the upper neck and/or a kyphosis (roundneck) in the lower neck.
Thirdlly, incorrect neck posture causes elevated, rounded shoulders. And not being able to move your shoulders smoothly will eventually cause pain and dysfunction in your shoulders as well. All of this leads to the posture in your thoracic spine (mid back) becoming a hyperkyphosis (hunchback). So the combination of tight and weak muscles create changes in biomechanics (movements) in your joints leading to further osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis).
What is Repetitive Movement and Overuse Injuries?
It is common to have a postural problem for individuals who work at desks. Prolonged sitting at a desk is problematic. And combined with the repetitive activity of typing and using the mouse for your computer causes postural problems and/or repetitive motion injuries. This sedentary lifestyle which eliminates a variety of movements cause pain and dysfunction. Kids and teenagers can also develop a slumped posture due to heavy back packs, hunching over homework or smart phones.
How does Acupuncture Help Postural Syndrome and Repetitive Motion Injuries?
Acupuncture and its many variations allow you to treat through a person’s nervous system. Additionally, acupuncture treats mechanically through the muscular system. Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system. Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, the sensory and proprioceptive nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to our brain and nervous system. So “acupoints” or acupuncture points on the body’s surface are mechanically stimulated, triggering nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs.
Many studies have shown the usefulness of acupuncture in improving a wide range of musculoskeletal problems. Acupuncture stimulates points on the body manually by needling. Subsequently, this modulates pain perception and/or alters physiological functions. For example, the body’s natural opioids that reduce the sensitivity of peripheral pain receptors are released. And Acupuncture activates a specific signaling pathway to treat inflammation.
Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Postural Syndrome and Repetitive Motion Injuries-Research
In one study, the outcomes of exercise therapy and electroacupuncture were compared on patients with Forward Head Posture and myofascial pain syndrome. In conclusion, the study showed that both exercise therapy and electroacupuncture improved patients’ posture and reduced pain intensity.
In another study, researchers looked at the combination of acupuncture and kinesiotherapy on upper cross syndrome. The outcome was restoring normal muscle balance so that the head, neck, and shoulders returned to a proper posture. However, acupuncture was more effective in reducing pain.
Indeed, acupuncture in these two studies showed it’s benefits in decreasing pain intensity and improving posture.
Chiropractic West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Postural Syndrome and Repetitive Motion Injuries
Acupuncture is a treatment that has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. It’s often used to manage pain and other conditions, and can be part of a broader approach to healthcare.
Acupuncture can help posture problems and repetitive motion injuries for you and your family. Contact Dr. Natalie Meiri, a chiropractic physician, certified in acupuncture at 561-253-8984 today.
References:
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1003525722000356