Massage Improves Posture
Many Australians experience back pain, neck pain and other forms of discomfort from a variety of sources. However, the primary cause of this pain results from poor posture. In fact, chronic back pain, which is the number one reason for missed work days and the second most common cause of disability, is often the result of incorrect or poor posture while standing and/or sitting.
“Most individuals are dealing with some kind of postural stress,” says Lauren Tindall, qualified massage therapist, personal trainer and owner at Holistic Bliss Bodywork on the sunny Gold Coast. “More often than not that stress tends to manifest in the shoulders, neck and lower back region.”
Desk workers, beware. More advanced forms of postural stress “show up as pain or weakness in the low back and gluteals caused by prolonged periods of sitting which can cause headaches and other forms of referred pain.” Moreover, poor posture and certain repetitive or overuse movements can also contribute to the strain on the back and other potential problem areas. As a result, the added strain often causes spasms, pain, and tense muscles in the hips, glutes, back, neck, shoulders and legs.
Luckily, massage can counteract the imbalance caused from sitting, which means you can keep your desk job – as long as you schedule a regular massage. Some people rely on postural correction therapies such as chiropractic or osteopathy, however if the muscles and tendons are in states of tension then these treatments often lose their effectiveness.
“Massage therapy is the foundation of true postural correction as it is our muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the skeletal structure of the body ensuring correct posture and a pain free life.”
Massage therapy can help get the body back into proper alignment. In fact, improving one’s posture can be one of the most beneficial and relaxing aspects of massage therapy. Massage allows the body to relax and loosen the muscles made tense and sore because of bad posture. In turn, this allows the body to re-position itself in its organic and pain-free posture.
As part of a consistent massage therapy program, the body’s muscles are loosened and relaxed; and pressure points are relieved. In addition, joints have greater freedom, flexibility and range of motion. In short, massage therapy helps to correct the positions and movements developed over time due to poor postural habits or as a reaction to pain.
“Lauren at Holistic Bliss Bodywork immediately pinpointed which muscles were under performing and which ones were overcompensating, showing me that my shoulder and wrist pain were really a sign of tight pecs, while my “dead” glutes were to blame for my aching knee. After a few treatments my posture was way better and my form in the gym improved too. Thanks a million!”
— Jason Wright, Gold Coast.