Unfortunately, strained shoulders and back pain are not uncommon conditions in today’s society. In our fast-paced, high-stress desk jobs, it’s not uncommon to sit for several hours in a row, leading to hunched and hunched shoulders and backs, respectively. This amount of time we spend in one position can greatly affect our posture, causing significant negative changes in the curvature of our spine and the stress on our shoulders. A specific type of exercise called Pilates might be your best option not only to prevent further damage, but also to reduce current symptoms of pain and tension caused by poor posture.
Correct posture is defined as an optimal position when sitting, standing and moving to resist the forces of gravity that act on our body. When sitting or standing, our spine should have two posterior curves, a slight curve in the thoracic region (T1-T12 discs), a fixed curve in the sacral region (S1-S5 discs) and two anterior curves, a slight curve. in the cervical region (C1-C7 discs) and a more aggressive curve in the lumbar region (L1-L5 discs). Any manipulation of these curves refers to poor posture that must be modified to achieve optimal force absorption capacity. These abnormalities can be detected from the neck and shoulders to the lower back and pelvis. This means that the entire spine can potentially suffer from an area of imbalance.
Poor posture negatively affects the body in a number of ways. Back, neck and shoulder pain are the most common complaints of those with poor posture. Sitting for long periods of time causes compression and misalignment of the spine and the soft tissues within it, decreasing the body’s ability to move freely through a full range of motion. Tension headaches are another observable setback caused by poor posture. Because people tend to put so much tension and stress on the neck and shoulders, the muscles that support the head become fatigued, leading to a tension headache. However, poor posture causes more than structural problems. Even your digestive system, especially the intestines, is reduced to its full potential due to the added pressure and restrictions that are placed on your body. If you have digestive problems, it may be time to check and see if poor posture is the responsible cause.
After observing the falls of a bad posture, we must learn to fix it and correct it correctly. Pilates fitness has scientifically proven the benefits and improvements it can have for people with poor posture. Pilates has been called “Contrology,” which means that the highest level of muscle control is developed through this system of exercise. When you are able to fine-tune muscle control, other skills such as core strength, endurance, and balance begin to develop, and each of these components is crucial to moving toward good posture.
Pilates also focuses on promoting consistent and balanced musculature throughout the body by increasing core strength. As additional muscles are engaged through specific exercises, the body begins to align and support itself properly, and the inflammation, tension, and weakness begin to subside. This emphasizes alignment of the hips, spine, and shoulders, helping to eliminate the side effects of spinal compression and shoulder strain from sitting for long periods of time. In addition to structure and core strength, other fitness goals can be achieved by starting a Pilates program.
Pilates, like other types of exercise programs, requires some time and effort to see best results. Focused mental patterns, work, and dedication are practiced when starting a Pilates program. Working with a professionally trained Pilates instructor is your best option to begin to see positive changes in your lifestyle and reduce back pain and tight, painful shoulders. While many instructors may claim to be Pilates experts, it is crucial to ensure that they have a proper practice certification. Pilates is a very advanced and developed method of exercise, and working with the most skilled people will improve your experienced results more quickly.
If you’re suffering from a tight neck, hunched shoulders, or back pain, consider trying Pilates to improve your posture. The observable benefits can be reduction of pain and tension in the back, shoulders and spine, correct posture and improvement of muscle tone, self-esteem, confidence, digestion, breathing and flexibility. These factors can greatly influence your quality of life and lead to a healthier and fitter lifestyle. Instead of continuing to suffer from frozen back and shoulder pain and increasing the severity of your symptoms, learn more about Pilates and make the switch in your life to see these desirable benefits.