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I've always had terrible posture, always being told to stand up straight when I was a kid etc'. I'm 37 now and it's getting worse, not acutely but gradually. It's not just the usual forward stoop, but also a sideways slump, this has definitely got more noticeable. I don't have persistant back pain, but do get mild back/neck ache from time to time. I can stand up straight, but this takes a a constant effort, as soon as I think about something else I forget and I slump again.
I visited the GP a while ago and he just casually suggested pilates without offering any kind of examination. Admittedly, I haven't got round to trying this yet.
I'm not expecting any kind of miracle cure, nor do I expect I should get endless free physio of some kind, but I am concerned that as I get older, it could become more serious and lead to other complications.
Should I just accept the "try pilates" answer, or is this something that should be investigated further? Anyone tried pilates for posture with success?
I've had back issues on and off for years ... bad posture, pronounced curve and most recently 2 prolapsed discs. The best thing for me has been keeping active/moving. I still get the odd day where it's sore and stiff but the more I do (within reason) the better it seems. The best it felt is when I used to kayak as it really worked your core.
Yeah, agree with the above, I've been terrible at keeping up any sort of dedicated pilates or general core strength exercises, but have generally learned to avoid huge periods of sitting down (I have a £200 IKEA sit/stand desk at work, sit in the mornings usually and stand in the afternoon).
Take any opportunity you can to walk instead of drive or bus, start stretching whenever you can (especially your glutes and piriformis, I think my piriformis was the root of most of my issues).
If you're office based raise your monitors, I have the top of mine slightly higher than eye level. get your mouse and keyboard nice and close to the front of your desk so you're not stretching for them.
Many will cry 'snake oil' but when my back does start stiffening up (usually because of too much sitting) I'll use two vertical strips of Physio tape either side of the base of my spine, applied while sitting and curling forward (get someone else to do it for you). I think the premise is that when you straighten up the tape tries to compress and 'pulls' the skin away from the muscle a little, encouraging blood flow. Sounds B.S. but it works for me, go placebo!
Also remember to stretch the front of your spine, i.e. curl backwards. Every morning I get up, hands over the head, arms straight, and open up the front of my chest by bending backwards. The little pops and cracks from the front of my rib cage are very satisfying! 8)
DISCLAIMER - All of the above is hastily written from my experiences of lower back pain, lower back prolapsed discs etc. Upper back is a different kettle of fish I guess, maybe you want to be strengthening muscles behind shoulder blades etc.
You just need to stretch & also strengthen your core. Pilates is good for this as is yoga or a physio can give you some exercises to do.
(Not an expert but married to a spinal surgeon. She tells everyone to do Pilates)
OP, I'm 53 have always sat badly. Lower back injury from tennis too. Had an x-ray for something a while back and Dr pointed out the bone wear in my spine. Get on with some changes inc learning to stand and sit properly (do a I say not as I do). This will feel difficult at first as muscles are badly trained. Physio gave me a few excersizes too. Yoga would help, try a few classes to get into it but the basic sun salutations would probably help and you can do those every day at home. Would agree Pilaties will help, find a good teacher and get them to show you the right excersizes and do them at home.
Re "free physio", you only need a few sessions, they should show you the exeercises then you just get on with it. So see a physio would be my advice!