Did You Know That Posture Affects TMD?
Do you work long hours at a computer, or do you enjoy sitting and scrolling on your phone aimlessly? If you suffer from TMD and you do both or either of these things, you may be causing more harm to yourself. The way you sit affects your posture, which is how you hold your body. When you are sitting, standing, or sleeping, you are displaying static posture. If you remember being reminded as a child to stand up straight or stop slouching, that was referring to your static posture. The way you hold your body can have a direct link to the symptoms of TMD. We want to share some gentle reminders of how your posture can affect your TMD symptoms. Read on to learn more.
Posture and TMD
Patients are often surprised to learn that their posture can be contributing to their TMD symptoms, but if you have poor posture, it can be improved.
Text Neck
With the increase in handheld technology, more patients than ever before are experiencing neck strains and other posture problems from continuously hunching over to look at a device. If you take a moment and think about yourself, you may realize how often you sit hunched over looking at a phone, tablet, or reading device. This has gotten the name “text neck.” When you are sitting hunched over, your jaw is not in the proper resting position, and if this continues to happen day in and day out, you can imagine the strain that puts on your jaw. This is the reason that TMD patients may experience more complications.
How to Improve Your Posture
It is never too late to improve your posture. If you have had bad posture for a long time, you will have to retrain your body to hold itself properly. One way to do this is to be mindful of your sitting patterns. If you feel yourself slouching, straighten your back and shoulders. Once the habit is broken, you will naturally sit and stand better. It will also be helpful to bring your phone or the handheld device you are using closer to your face instead of dropping your head down to see. If you have a desk job or sit at a computer for a long period of time, consider making an investment in a better chair that facilitates proper posture.
If you are experiencing a flare-up of symptoms or have questions about your treatment, be sure to contact our office, which is located in Auburn & Silverdale, WA, to speak to a team member or schedule an appointment.
