One of the signs you have bad posture is rounded shoulders. Most people do not even know they have this condition until visiting a chiropractor West Omaha professional because of shoulder and back pain.
Luckily, you can look out for signs that indicate you have rounded shoulders and stop it in its tracks before it causes health problems. Dive into what rounded shoulders are and how to fix rounded shoulders.
What are rounded shoulders?
Rounded shoulders are used to describe a person’s position where the back is rounded, and the head is positioned forward. It is also referred to as orangutan and mom posture. If this position is left untreated, it can cause health issues down the road like Dowager’s Hump, shoulder blade pain or compression fractures.
The causes of rounded shoulder
Rounded shoulders develop due to bad posture. You can develop this posture by spending long periods of time looking down at a screen with slumped shoulders. This position causes a lot of stress on your shoulders and neck, leading to neck and shoulder pain and a limited range of motion.
Some activities that contribute to developing rounded shoulders are:
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Using a smartphone or tablet
Long periods of time on a computer or laptop
Living a sedentary lifestyle
Driving long commutes
Lifting and carrying items all-day
How to fix rounded shoulders
Be mindful of your posture
If you sit at a desk for long periods of time, you should be mindful of your posture. Sitting with your shoulders slumped and neck extended forward, you might end up developing rounded shoulders. You can ensure you have good posture at your desk by:
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Sitting up straight
Adjusting the chair so your feet touch the floor
Keeping the keyboard within reach
Relaxing your shoulders
Sitting on a chair with back support
Stretch, stretch, stretch
One effective way on how to fix rounded shoulders is by retraining your shoulders. Your muscles were trained to hunch forward and can be retrained to rest correctly. Doing stretches designed to fix rounded shoulders can help improve your overall posture. Some exercises that help with rounded shoulders include lateral neck flexion, chest doorway, reverse shoulder and sculpture wall slides.
Strengthening your back and shoulder muscles
Weakness in the upper back muscles and shoulder blades can also cause rounded shoulders. If your upper back muscles and shoulder blades do not have enough strength, then it can make it easier for you to slump your shoulders. Adding strengthening exercises can help you reverse and prevent rounded shoulders.
Visit a chiropractor
If you suspect you have rounded shoulders or want to improve your posture, see a chiropractor West Omaha professional. A chiropractor can make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan for your condition. Most causes of rounded shoulders can be fixed with a spine realignment. However, chiropractors can also prescribe you a series of exercises you can do at home to improve your posture.
Visit a chiropractor in West Omaha!
If you want to fix or prevent rounded shoulders, visit Wisniewski Chiropractic. Dr. Wisniewski can help you improve your posture through spinal or extremity manipulation. Plus, give you tips on how to maintain a good posture. Schedule your appointment here.
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