I was recently meeting with a chiropractor that I work with, and we were relating to each other case studies of interesting clients/patients. I began talking about one of my favorite clients, a retired school teacher with chronic pain from a rounded upper back and forward head, caused by years of leaning over student’s desks while teaching. We had tried everything to help her- including physical therapy, visits to multiple doctors, massage therapy and more- and nothing helps completely. The chiropractor exclaimed that she too, had many retired and current teachers with the same postural abnormalities, and we both agreed, this population was remarkable for the permanent damage done by stooping posture. Thus- a blog was born!
Teachers-beware! The posture you use to lean over children’s desks may seem benign and necessary- but years and years of leaning forward with a rounded spine and forward head can and will result eventually in painful permanent changes to your spine. It is essential that all teachers, especially those working with young children, remain acutely aware of their day-to-day posture before it’s too late!
So- how do you protect your spine while still doing your job well? Take time throughout the day to stand up straight and stretch the chest muscles which become chronically shortened from rounding forward. Make sure that your neck remains at all times in a neutral alignment with the chin tucked, rather than jutting your chin forward, which eventually shortens the neck muscles and causes pain and misalignment. Perform strength training exercises which strengthen the upper back and low back muscles as well as your core muscles, so that your body can be strong enough to counteract this daily stooping posture. And, finally, visit a health care professional such as a chiropractor, massage therapist, physical therapist or others if you experience pain and stiffness during and after your day at school. A few thoughtful preventative measures may save you from years of chronic pain later in your life!