Posture disorder, also known as posture disorder, is the deterioration of the body's balanced posture due to various reasons. Skeletal system problems, muscle and joint deformations can develop due to incorrect postures. Having a sedentary lifestyle can weaken the muscles that support the body. The person's daily life routine, genetic predisposition, disruptions in the development process in the womb are other factors that play a role in the formation of posture disorders.
In some sports, posture disorders may also occur due to the posture position. For example, people who are involved in sports that require a long inclined posture, such as cricket, baseball and road cycling, may suffer from various posture disorders. Posture disorders often occur as a result of habits in daily life. The majority of people with this type of disorder do not realize it until it leads to more serious health problems. By taking simple precautions, it is possible to correct the posture disorder and prevent health problems that may develop later.
What are the Common Types of Posture Disorder?
Many unconscious movements at work, at home or while walking outside can cause posture disorders. Common types of posture disorders in society are as follows:
Hunchback (Kyphosis)
It is a condition in which the spine bends abnormally forward. Due to the curvature, the back becomes much more curved than it should be. It is more common in older age groups.
Neck Flattening
It is a condition that occurs when the neck loses its natural curvature. It may develop due to degeneration of the intervertebral discs seen in older age groups.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis, also called curvature of the spine, is a common disorder in young people and children. In some cases, there may be no symptoms in the early stages and it can lead to severe limitation of movement in later years.
Hyper Lordosis
It is called the inward curvature of the lumbar region. In adults, obesity, pregnancy and various neuromuscular diseases are also causes of increased lumbar hollowing. In younger age groups, hyper lordosis may also develop due to physical reasons such as carrying heavy backpacks.
Forward Head Posture
It is a common posture disorder today due to the intensive use of smart devices and computers. This condition; weakening of the neck muscles, sleeping on a high pillow, driving for a long time can trigger the development of forward head posture.
What are the Symptoms of Posture Disorder?
Symptoms of posture disorder may vary depending on the area where it occurs. Common symptoms include body aches, back pain, lower back and neck pain. Muscle spasms and fatigue may also occur in areas where posture disorders develop. In posture disorders such as scoliosis, people's posture disorders can be easily noticed by external eyes. In case of symptoms and complaints, the person should be examined by a physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist.
How is posture disorder treated?
In order totreat posture disorder, the patient must be diagnosed by a specialist. Various treatment applications and manual examination procedures are utilized during the diagnosis phase. Treatment can be done with physiotherapy or surgical intervention if deemed necessary by the specialist. Physiotherapy with a physiotherapist aims to improve the problematic area and surrounding muscles. However, for physiotherapy to be effective, the posture disorder should not be at an advanced level.
There are various exercises and stretches to support the treatment of posture disorders and to help the person regain their balance. The physiotherapist performs sessions to support the treatment of posture disorder by stretching and exercise movements according to the person's body structure. If deemed necessary by specialists, a posture correction device can be used. Posture support and taping can be especially beneficial in reducing lordosis.
In addition to these, it is important to make some differences in one's daily life. Posture and sitting postures in the working environment should be ergonomically organized. Care should be taken to align the head with the phone when using the phone. Sleeping on an orthopedic bed in a way that supports spinal health is of great importance in the treatment of posture disorder.