What Are The Impacts Of Poor Posture?
Poor posture can limit breathing capacity and cause increased tension within the upper back and shoulder region. A prolonged posture that is not corrected can lead to uneven weight distribution throughout the body and be a cause of increased wear and tear on bones, discs and joints. This is what our team of chiropractors aim to correct and make changes to so that joint dysfunction and degeneration can be avoided.
4 Activities That May Cause Poor Posture
- Using handheld devices
- Sitting for long periods
- Working in tight spaces for long periods
- Incorrect lifting form
How Does Poor Posture Affect Breathing?
Poor posture decreases the amount of capacity within the lungs. This is because the area becomes compressed not allowing the lungs to fill adequately and limits the amount of strength the diaphragm has to operate effectively.
3 Ways To Help Improve Posture!
- Be aware of activities that cause forward head posture and rounding of the shoulders
- Stand tall or sit upright with head support to stop you from hunching
- Use a standing desk and use chair’s with lumbar support
Tips to improve Overall Breathing
- Deep breathing
- Breathe in through your nose (Avoid mouth breathing unless exerting)
- Practice breathing (breath in for 3 seconds, hold for 3 seconds and exhale for 3 seconds)
- Stretching and exercising the upper back (thoracic region)
- Yoga / Pilates
*Our Chiropractors are upskilled in many areas of rehabilitation. If you are someone who is suffering from poor posture or bad postural habits book an appointment today or give our team a call today on 9376 2002 at The Melbourne Chiropractor to find out how we can help you out today!
*You Can Visit Us At Any Of Our 3 Locations – Broadmeadows – Westmeadows – Fawkner
Shin splints are a common complaint affecting athletes, particularly runners! Shin Splints are a generalised term used to describe pains felt along the tibia [Shin bone]. They are an injury associated with overuse, overtraining and in some cases poor foot & leg mechanics. This ultimately leads to strain and pain in the muscles of the leg
Shin splints can be categorised into anterior and posterior shin splints. They usually arise due to dysfunction or strain through the Tibialis anterior and posterior muscles. These strains can occur due to changes in training load or running surfaces and insufficient rest. This strain pattern can also occur due to bio-mechanical causes, such as weakness and inflexibility in the muscles of the lower limb. Poor footwear can also contribute
Shin splints are generally diagnosed through a case history and physical examination by your physician. Further scanning can be utilised to rule out other sinister diagnoses’ such as fractures
Initial treatment involves pain and inflammation reduction through decreases in training load, increased rest and use of Ice. Once achieved, the aim is to regain full ROM of the leg and to regain normal foot biomechanics. Once that is completed, muscle strength of the lower limb must be restored, as return to sport and activity will commence
If left untreated, shin splits can can progress into tibial stress fractures which will require further intervention. In rarer cases, muscle compartment syndrome can develop, where surgical intervention may be required
Here are some exercises that may help decrease your pain associated with shin splints
Loaded Kettle Bell Plantar Flexion or Dorsi Flexion
Balance Reach Activity
Tibialis Posterior Calf Raise
Remember to consult a health care professional before commencing these exercises 
