Exercises for Posture

Question:

I have an old injury to my back right above my bra line, and I tend to slump. Are there exercises or directions to improve posture?

Answer: By Elizabeth Reicherter, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CHES

The symptoms you describe are a common complaint of those who slump or sit a lot, especially when they have to reach for their computer keyboard or mouse. The slumped position can overstretch and strain the postural muscles of the mid-back resulting in weakness of the muscles that hold your shoulder blade steady so that you can move your arm smoothly. Because you have an old injury in the area, you may be at even greater risk of having long-term pain and weakness. A physical therapist will evaluate your back, prescribe exercises that will strengthen the involved muscles, and give you postural advice to minimize your slumping and move forward to better health and comfort

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Physical therapists, who are experts in restoring and improving motion in people’s lives, play an important role not only in treating persistent or recurrent low back pain, but also in prevention and risk reduction. Physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility – in [...]

Biographical Information

Physical therapist and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member E. Anne Reicherter, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CHES, joined the faculty at the University of Maryland-Baltimore School of Medicine in January 2009. She primarily teaches orthopedic physical therapy, psychosocial issues in healthcare, and physical therapy educational topics. Previously, she was a faculty member for 10 years at Howard University in Washington. Dr Reicherter received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in1985. While working as a physical therapist, she received a Master of Education in Health Education from The Pennsylvania State University in 1995. In 2005, she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, Massachusetts, and in 2008 received a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology from Howard University. Dr Reicherter is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist and a certified health education specialist. As a researcher whose interests include health literacy, she has published many peer-reviewed articles on health disparities and the education of physical therapy students. Dr Reicherter has been an APTA member since 1985 and is a member of the Association’s orthopedic and education sections.