Causes of a Hump Back aka Kyphosis
Posture probably was one of those things you didn’t think about until you started feeling new aches or pains in your body, a doctor told you something in your annual physical or just the fact of feeling older. Some may have been exposed to “sit up straight!” in their childhood or “stop slouching” funny enough this made a different issue for people but that is for another day. Here are a few things to assess to determine what you could improve without starting pilates.
Your Job
This is one of those very important questions I ask for new training clients. The main reason being that if you have a job that makes you do xyz, makes you feel xyz, and you work xyz hours a day, a week, a month well it is probably more important than even your own family life in regards to your physical health.
I have had the pleasure of teaching a few teachers and I can definitely see what it does for the back, either from sitting and standing all day long or from being stuck at a desk majority of the day then driving home to sit even more. It is the fact that overtime your spine is being compressed.
Your Waistline
As many have experienced being in America you’ll notice the change in your waistline. From gaining a few pounds to a wider hip size it happens and there is a boat load of reasons why it happens. This is an important thought to keep in mind because a change in your healthy posture due to weight or waistline will mean a change in your spine. If you add on to your hips you may experience back pain. Likely from the compression or from muscles being inactive and fire off incorrectly (a doctor will see this). In another scenario, say you are breastfeeding and the new and often fluctuating size will cause upper back pain or a tightness feeling in the chest.
These changes will cause structural changes in your body that over time and from over use or lack of use may result in various aches and pains. Hopefully not an injury but luckily there are many physical therapists that can assist you in that.
Your Emotions
Certain emotions causes our body to be in certain positions. It’s easy to see in someone who openly is feeling sad and depressed or a child crying. However, the extended period of time being in certain emotions can lead to a posture change. In stressed out people I see shoulders, neck, back and hips being tight. In sadder people I see more of a hunch, causing other issues down the chain. If you feel a way and for a long time you may experience a change in your posture.
Recommendations
If you are not in pain and just feel a bit off, a bit tight, or wanting to feel a different way here are my tips.
Asses your work station
Check in on your body
Check in on your mind and mood
See what can change easily without needing to think about it
Workout to undo the stiffness and tightness you are feeling
Plan around your day for some me time. Alone.
These are some of the ways I help people asses, plan, and change their posture. It is something that not just a workout will fix but requires external changes as well. For some it may even mean a change in jobs.
I hope this has helped you in some way. Let me know! I hope to see you all again soon.