Chronic Pain

Often, possibly even every time, the word “posture” is uttered, it usually leads to everyone in the room standing to attention. A lift in the chest, an upright straightening of the spine, shoulders pushed so far back that even the head sometimes nods forwards. All of a sudden, it’s as if royalty themselves have entered the room, with us putting ourselves in immense discomfort until we realise and then subconsciously revert back to the previous comfortable, functional position. And all that happens in about fifteen seconds. So why is posture such a big topic? To discuss this, we’ll begin with the subject of chronic pain. NHS Inform defines chronic pain as “pain that carries on for longer than twelve weeks despite medication or treatment”(1). Take a moment and think to yourself what is the longest period of time you’ve been in pain for?Those of you reading this with arthritis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, or musculoskeletal issues such as lower back pain or a tendinopathy might raise your hands. Chronic pain carries a powerful psychological message; it can often prevent us from being physically active, avoiding movement and encouraging the deterioration of tissues. Lack of muscle activation leads to atrophy, (muscle wastage) causing muscle and soft tissues to weaken, leaving patients further vulnerable to injury. Depression can easily set in and chronic pain can quickly become a vicious cycle, with one in five people around the world experiencing it. (2) Medication is a staple of pain management programs and a conversation with your doctor should always pre-empt any change in dosage. A change in lifestyle is the second step; learning to plan your day effectively and pace yourself, do not rush. Keeping muscles and joints strong by taking part in regular activity is key, with even a short walk providing a much needed stimulus to help strengthen your them, and it always helps if you find an activity you enjoy! Exercise classes such as Pilates and Yoga can provide a strength training benefit but also leave you feeling relaxed and invigorated. Having a qualified professional assess your affected muscles or joints, and implement a treatment plan that includes soft tissue therapy such as massage can also be beneficial, as it has been shown to improve mood, reduce pain and increase health related quality of life (3). This is where posture comes into play too. Many of us now sit at desks for hours each day, only leaving them when it’s time to go home by sitting on a train. Only then to get home and sit on a sofa. The World Health Organisation defines work related musculoskeletal injuries as “injuries in muscles, tendons, peripheral nerves and vascular vessels, possibly caused by, precedent to, or worsened by repetitive or continuous use of a certain body part” (4). In summary, when we sit, our heads tilt forwards, adversely loading the spine, forcing muscles, ligaments and tendons to take the extra load. The weakest point in your posterior back muscles will suffer, and continuous overuse can lead to chronic inflammation and the possibility for serious long term negative effects. These conditions are now becoming so serious that terms such as “iHunch” or “text neck” have been coined to describe those with a significant curved upper back and rounding of the shoulders. You wouldn’t keep driving your car, if the more you used it the worse the steering became or the slower it accelerated. The problem would need addressing, and so does your body! If you are experiencing postural related, or any type of chronic muscular pain, come and see one of our highly experienced therapists at THE HEALING ZONE situated onsite at The Cyclopark Kent.

1. NHS Inform Scotland, 2015

2. NHS Inform Scotland, 2015

3. “The effect of the forward head posture on postural balance in long time computer based worker”, 2012

4. “The impact of massage therapy on function in pain populations – A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials: Part 1, Patients experiencing pain in the general population” Crawford & Boyd, 2015