STAY ROYAL, STAY STRAIGHT!

-

We might have heard that friendly physiotherapist reminding us (again) to adjust our posture. Or maybe we’ve read something from our series You Are Royalty, Act Like One. But here’s the real question: after reading those tips, do we remember to keep our posture in check?

Did we take a moment to adjust how we’re sitting? And, right now as we read this—are we actually sitting like royalty? If not, we’re here to help keep those reminders fresh!

What Could Go Wrong?

Our spine is beautifully crafted in an S-shape, divided into three main parts: cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and lumbar (lower back)—and we might add the sacral at the base. Each part has a distinct curve: the cervical and lumbar areas curve inward (lordosis), while the thoracic area curves outward (kyphosis).


This curve isn’t just for looks; it’s essential for balance and support. However, some are born with spinal misalignments (and, no, this doesn’t affect their intelligence or abilities). But for those born with a typical curve, did you know that poor habits can cause the spine to change shape over time?


Yes—you read that right. Poor posture or repetitive strain can lead to conditions like scoliosis—an abnormal spine curve that can shift the spine into an S or C shape when viewed from behind.

Remember This Moment

Think about that time we carried a heavy one-sided bag for hours, causing us to tilt a little. Or when we sat slouched or twisted in the car on a long trip. These might feel like minor moments, but repeated patterns like these can actually lead to a form of non-structural scoliosis.


Non-structural (functional) scoliosis can develop due to:

  • Persistent muscle imbalances from repetitive postures or activities, like always carrying weight on one side. Over time, muscles on one side of the spine tighten, while those on the opposite side weaken, gradually curving the spine.

While we might think this doesn’t apply to us, sometimes back pain is a sign of non-structural scoliosis developing over time.

Me? Non-Structural Scoliosis? How?

Yes, you could have it—even without realizing it! But before panicking, let’s talk about how we can check for scoliosis at home.


Our focus here is non-structural scoliosis. For structural scoliosis (a more permanent spine curve), more detailed exams are required—but feel free to learn more here.

The Adam's Forward Bend Test

This test is a simple, quick way to get a sense of what’s happening with our spine. Here’s how we can check at home (with a friend’s help):

  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms by your sides.

  • Bend forward at the waist until your torso is parallel to the floor, as if trying to touch your toes. Let your arms dangle loosely.

  • Observer’s Role: The person with you should observe from behind, checking if the spine forms an “S” shape. They might also look for uneven shoulders or any raised areas along the back.

From: Sports Medicine Wiki

Understanding the Results

If there’s no visible curve or rib hump, it suggests a non-structural scoliosis likely caused by posture habits rather than permanent changes in the spine.

If there’s a visible rib hump or asymmetry that doesn’t go away, it could suggest structural scoliosis, which may need further medical evaluation.


The good news? Managing non-structural scoliosis can be straightforward! But let’s keep it easy for now and let today’s information sink in. Watch out for more tips next week on how to make small, effective changes for our back health.

How about doing the test now? We might learn something new about our backs!


Until next time, keep checking that posture!

For more information, contact us at thephysiodiary@gmail.com 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hot vs. Cold Therapy: The Ultimate Showdown!

-
Image
Truth be told, there has been an ongoing debate for centuries—which is better for pain and injury recovery: cold therapy or hot therapy? And today, it’s time to demystify it once and for all! Although we began last week with " The Arthritis and Its Physiotherapist "—and yes, we’ll continue exploring that topic—understanding this battle and knowing who the real winner is will help you manage your body better. So, sit back, relax, and let’s finally uncover the truth! Let’s Get Creative for a Moment… Take a nostalgic walk back to childhood. Who remembers those moments when, as kids, we fell, hit our heads, or bumped our knees—only to end up with a swollen lump on our foreheads? (Take a smile if you were one of the ‘forehead bumpers’!) What happened next? Your mother or guardian rushed in, cradled you in their lap, and out came that small, red-labeled hot balm bottle—whether it was Robb, Aboliki, or another strong-smelling ointment. Or she could even dab that place with something...
Read more

An Unwanted Guest After Exercises

-
Image
Exercise is supposed to be the ultimate stress reliever, right? The thing that makes you feel invincible, like you can take on the world. For fitness enthusiasts, it’s pure joy—a dose of happy hormones and the thrill of progress. But for the rest of us mere mortals? Exercise can sometimes leave us feeling like we’ve been hit by a truck. Why? Because you wake up the next day and—surprise!—you’re sore all over. Your arms feel like noodles, your legs are protesting every movement, and even lifting your morning coffee feels like a workout. Sound familiar? Welcome to the not-so-glamorous world of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: The Silent Saboteur of New Year Resolutions Just like the name says, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is that delayed soreness that creeps in after rest—usually after putting your muscles through more work than they’re used to. It doesn’t hit right away. No, DOMS is sneakier than that. It waits a day or two before announcing i...
Read more

YOU ARE ROYALTY, ACT LIKE ONE!

-
Image
Many people do not know this… Being born into a family - as a twin or an individual does not mean you would have the same experiences.  Imagine a John Doe family - with a father, a mother, and three children. The three children create their own families and have their kids, and then the family tree continues. Yet with all the generations, there is a history of low back pain - perhaps from a particular age or across a gender. What's going through your mind? It's probably a family thing, right? We would agree with you, but we dare to tell you that research has proven that while it could be a genetic factor (such as disc degeneration) or an instability of their spine that predisposes them to low back pain - there might also be other reasons. For more information on the other causes of low back pain - kindly wait for subsequent posts. There is also the probability that while the low back pain in The Doe family is genetic, some individuals would never experi...
Read more