Poor posture is common. A person could have forward head posture, rolled forward shoulders, and uneven/misaligned heads/shoulders/pelvis-hips. Some people even limp or shuffle while walking. Research shows that abnormal posture can place added strain on various areas of the body. This creates an elevated risk for musculoskeletal pain, including neck pain. At-home exercises and chiropractic care are great for improving a patient’s posture. It can also reduce their risk for future episodes of neck pain. Let’s shortly discuss some of the studies that support the use of at-home exercise and posture training for neck pain.
Posture Studies
- Older adults have forward posture due to rounding of the mid-back (“hyperkyphosis”). A 6-month study with 99 seniors revealed that a 1-hour, 3x a week exercise program resulted in improved spinal curvature and self-esteem.
- Two groups of young adults with rounded shoulder postures were analyzed. Researchers found that shoulder stabilization and shoulder stretching exercises benefited patients in different ways. These exercises lasted 40 mins, three times a week for four weeks. This suggests that combining these exercises is the best approach to improving balance, strength, flexibility, and posture.
- Another study included young adults with rounded shoulder postures. Reports show that patients experienced better results when scapular stabilization exercises were combined with abdominal bracing exercises.
- Teenagers with forward head and protracted shoulder posture exhibited posture improvements. This occurred when specific neck and shoulder exercises were incorporated into their physical education program for 16 weeks.
In 2008, the Neck Pain Task Force recommended exercise for the management of neck pain that includes neck pain associated with a whiplash injury. A 2016 literature review in the journal Spine added to that recommendation by noting that exercise is also effective for grade III whiplash and neck pain. This is an injury that includes loss of neurological function. Interestingly, the review didn’t find one form of exercise to be superior to another. One suggests that combining several forms of exercise may be the best way to achieve the most satisfying outcome for the patient.
Conclusion
Chiropractors are very highly skilled in manual therapies, exercise training, and functional assessments. Each of these has been found to successfully improve outcomes for patients with persistent neck pain. Most conditions prompt treatment to yield the best results, So don’t delay in starting your chiropractic management care program!
