Poor posture can adversely affect physical and mental health.

It can lead to weakened bones, nerve damage, lower back pain, reduced confidence, depression, and more. While technological innovations such as the automobile, TV, and computer have made modern life easier and more convenient, these inventions have also had negative impacts on human health. People have become more sedentary as technology has advanced. According the the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality.

A Finnish study found two hours or more of computer use each day was associated with a moderate to severe increase in musculoskeletal pain while another study found one in six Kiwi 15-year-olds were on the internet for more than six hours a day.

Last year ACC received claims for 141,093 neck, back of head vertebrae and upper back soft tissue injuries - up from 130,771 in 2014, although the most common cause was a fall.

The way we hold ourselves while sitting or standing can have a huge impact on the activation of certain muscle groups - some will become locked in a shortened position and others will become locked in a lengthened position, unable to shorten effectively.

Whether you currently suffer from poor posture or if you’re looking to maintain your healthy posture, you should consider massage therapy. Numerous research studies have shown the efficacy of massage as a treatment for back pain and bad posture.

• A study in 2001 by the International Journal of Neuroscience found that massage therapy helps reduce lower back pain and increase range of motion. Researches examined 24 individuals who had been reported low back pain for at least 6 months. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: massage therapy or muscle relaxation. Each person received 30 minute sessions twice a week for a total of five weeks. By the end of the study participants in the massage therapy group reported less pain and showed improve range of motion in their spine.

• A study published in 2011 by Annals of Internal Medicine examined the effect of massage on individuals with chronic low back pain. Researchers analyzed 401 people who reported nonspecific chronic low back pain. Participants were divided into three groups: structural massage, relaxation massage, or regular care (physical therapy and pain medication). Each group received one hour of therapy per week for 10 weeks. At the end of the study, both massage groups reported significantly greater improvements in their low back pain compared to individuals who received regular care.

WHAT ARE THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MASSAGE TO IMPROVE POSTURE?

Increased vasodilation

Vasodilation is the relaxation of smooth muscles lining a vessel resulting in the widening of the vessels. The neurotransmitter histamine increases the permeability of blood vessels resulting in vasodilation. This encourages an improvement in blood flow due to a decrease in blood pressure. The widening of vessels and decrease in blood pressure allows an increase in blood to be circulated through the vessels. Rising muscle temperature, stimulating the relaxation of tighten and tense muscles increasing range of movement and improves posture due to a decrease in restriction.

Increased temperature

An increase in temperature occurs within both superficial , fascia and deep tissues around the body. Temperature increases due to an increase in circulation due to friction created between the skin and fingers. This decreases tissue inelasticity and also improves their flexibility. It can also improve mobility around a joint. Improving tissue elasticity and joint mobility both allow posture to improve and return to normal.

Increased tissue elasticity

The ability of a muscle to stretch to reach its full range of movement describes tissue elasticity. The most common types of tissues massage works on include both soft tissues and connective tissues. When tissues become restrictive, they can reduce movement and lead to poor posture. Tissue elasticity increases due to a rise in temperature. When tissue elasticity increases the flexibility of the tissues also increase, improving movement and decreases restriction. Increasing movement allows posture to be returned to normal without any pain.