Getting Your Knees Ready for Summer Hiking

Article featured on AZ Ortho

Are you an avid hiker ready to hit the trails and conquer new heights? We get the appeal—hiking is an amazing way to connect with nature while staying active at the same time. However, you have to keep an eye on your joints, especially your knees, to ensure a smooth and pain-free hiking experience.

Here are some handy orthopedic tips specifically tailored for hikers to prevent joint strain and keep your knees trail-ready.

Choose the Right Footwear

Investing in the right footwear can make a significant difference in protecting your knees while hiking. Opt for hiking boots or shoes that are specifically designed for rugged terrain. Look for features like ankle support, cushioned insoles, and durable outsoles with good traction. Properly fitting footwear also helps prevent blisters, hot spots, and discomfort that can indirectly affect your knee health.

Additional Tip: Consider Orthotic Inserts

If you have specific foot issues or pronation concerns, consider using orthotic inserts in your hiking shoes. Orthotics can provide additional support and alignment for your feet, which can help reduce stress on your knees.

Warm-Up and Stretch

Before starting your hike, spend at least 10–15 minutes warming up your muscles and performing dynamic stretches. No one should go into any type of exercise with cold muscles!

Good dynamic stretches should involve active movements that mimic the actions you’ll perform during the hike, such as leg swings, high knees, and lunges. These exercises increase blood flow to your muscles, improve flexibility, and prepare your body for the physical demands of hiking.

Additional Tip: Include Foam Rolling

Incorporate foam rolling into your pre-hike routine to release tension in your muscles and fascia. Focus on rolling out your quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and IT band. Foam rolling can help improve your range of motion, reduce muscle tightness, and enhance overall mobility, which can contribute to better knee health during your hike.

Maintain Proper Posture

Proper posture lets you prevent knee strain and maintain good overall body alignment during hiking. Keep your head up, shoulders relaxed, and gaze forward to avoid rounding your shoulders or slouching. Engage your core muscles to support your spine and pelvis, which reduces strain on your lower back and knees. Periodically check your posture throughout your hike and make adjustments as needed.

Additional Tip: Use Backpack Ergonomics

If you’re carrying a backpack during your hike, make sure the straps are adjusted properly to distribute weight evenly. Use a backpack that has padded shoulder straps, a waist belt, and a chest strap to stabilize the load and prevent strain on your back and shoulders. Pack essential items strategically to minimize unnecessary weight and optimize balance while hiking.

Gradually Increase Intensity

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, it’s best to progress gradually when increasing the intensity of your hikes. Start with shorter distances and easier trails, gradually building up to longer hikes with more elevation gain. Listen to your body’s cues and take breaks as needed to rest and refuel. Pushing yourself too hard too soon can lead to overuse injuries and trouble for your knees.

Additional Tip: Incorporate Cross-Training

Incorporate cross-training activities like cycling, swimming, or yoga into your fitness routine to gain better strength, flexibility, and endurance. Cross-training can help prevent muscle imbalances, improve joint stability, and reduce the risk of overuse injuries.

Watch Your Foot Placement

Pay attention to where you step while hiking to avoid uneven terrain and obstacles that could lead to slips or falls. Take deliberate steps and use caution when navigating rocky or slippery surfaces. Choose stable footing whenever possible and use trekking poles for added balance and support, especially during descents or challenging terrain.

Additional Tip: Use Proper Descending Techniques

When descending steep slopes or rocky terrain, use proper techniques to protect your knees. Descend slowly and maintain a slightly bent knee position to absorb shock and reduce the impact on your joints. Avoid locking your knees or landing with excessive force, as this can strain your knee ligaments and cartilage.

Strengthen Your Leg Muscles

Strong leg muscles provide the support and stability your knees need during hikes. Incorporate strength training exercises into your fitness routine to target your quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. Squats, lunges, calf raises, and leg presses are excellent exercises to build strength and improve knee stability. Consistent strength training can help prevent joint strain and enhance your hiking performance.

Additional Tip: Focus on Functional Movements

In addition to traditional strength training exercises like squats, lunges, and leg presses, prioritize functional movements that mimic hiking actions. Include exercises such as step-ups, single-leg squats, and lateral lunges to improve balance, stability, and agility. Functional training prepares your muscles for the specific demands of hiking, reducing the risk of injuries.

Listen to Your Body

Lastly, listen to your body and pay attention to any signs of discomfort or pain in your knees while hiking. If you experience persistent pain, swelling, or instability, seek medical attention and avoid pushing through the pain. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) can help alleviate minor knee injuries, but consulting with an orthopedic specialist is needed for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Additional Tip: Implement Recovery Strategies

After your hike, prioritize recovery strategies to promote muscle recovery and reduce inflammation in your knees. Perform gentle stretching exercises, use foam rollers or massage tools to alleviate muscle tension, and apply ice packs to reduce swelling. To get fully recovered and help your joints, get a good amount of rest, hydration, and nutrition as well.


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:
503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

Strong Bones at Any Age: A Guide to Lifelong Nutrition

Article featured on National Spine Health Foundation

Nutrition for healthy bones is important knowledge. Ours bones play many roles in the body, from providing structure and support and protecting our organs to acting as a mineral storage for calcium and phosphorous. However, bone health is often overlooked until the diagnosis of osteoporosis or the occurrence of a fragility fracture later in life. Good nutrition throughout life plays a vital role in building strong and healthy bones. Taking steps to ensure you are getting bone building nutrients during childhood and adolescence, as well as the adult years, will help to maintain bone density and reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.

Bone is a dynamic living tissue that is able to rebuild and replenish itself. It is continuously changing as new bone is made and old bone is broken down. It does this through the workings of two key bone cells: osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Osteoclasts help to break down and reabsorb old bone cells while osteoblasts generate new bone cells to replace them. When you are young, your body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone.

As an adult, although bone remodeling continues, you begin to break down bone cells faster than you generate new ones. Osteoporosis, defined as a chronic progressive disease characterized by a deterioration of bone tissue, occurs when the old bone cells are being broken down faster than they are being replaced. Osteoporosis results in bones that are weak and fragile, leaving them at an increased risk for fractures. Maximizing bone accumulation during the adolescent years, known as peak bone mass, is the first crucial step to ensuring strong bones later in life.

Bone Health in Childhood

During the adolescent years, bone grows rapidly until peak bone mass is achieved. Peak bone mass refers to the greatest mass, strength, and density your bones genetically can accumulate. You can think of bone building as if one is climbing a peak during adolescence, reaches the peak in early adulthood, and then starts to decline later in life. By age 18, 90% of peak bone mass has been achieved and most young women and men reach their maximum bone density by their late 20’s. Although genetics determine 60 – 80% of peak bone mass, lifestyle choices, including diet and physical activity, are also predictors of bone accumulation during growth.

Any condition that interferes with achieving optimal peak bone mass can, therefore, increase fracture risk later in life. The figure on page 39 illustrates the life cycle of bone and how diet and lifestyle choices during the adolescent years can influence peak bone mass.

Nutrition for Healthy Bones

Physical activity and nutrition are essential to achieving peak bone mass. Many studies addressing nutrition and bone health in children have concluded that inadequate nutrition, particularly insufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D, during growth may negatively affect peak bone mass. Moreover, malnutrition that occurs with eating disorders has also been shown to have a direct effect on bone mass development. In young individuals with anorexia nervosa, bone loss can be detected after only six months of illness and deficits can remain even after weight gain recovery. The severe deficiency of nutrients that occurs with anorexia results in a reduction of bone formation, as well as increased bone resorption.

Even nutrient deficits from short-term fasting, (four days or longer), results in a marked decrease of bone formation markers in normal healthy young people. Achieving peak bone mass cannot be emphasized enough. It has been shown that achieving peak bone mass during the adolescent years could significantly delay the onset of osteoporosis by 13 years, reducing the risk of osteoporotic fractures later in life.

By the age of 40, we all slowly begin to lose bone mass. However, as with adolescents aiming to achieve peak bone mass, quality nutrition and regular exercise also help adults avoid the severe bone loss that leads to osteoporosis. A recent study examining the effects of diet on bone health found that postmenopausal women who ate a Mediterranean diet were less likely to suffer from hip fractures. The Mediterranean diet is well known for its emphasis on eating foods like fish, vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Meat, cheese, and sweets are very limited. This study highlights how an overall healthy diet may be more important in supporting bone health than focusing on the intake of any single nutrient.

How Calcium Factors into Bone Health

The health and strength of our bones rely on a balanced diet that provides a steady stream of many key nutrients, most importantly, calcium and vitamin D. Calcium has always been known as one of the vital nutrients for building strong bones.

This is because the matrix of bone is mineralized with calcium and phosphate, which in turn gives strength to its structure. Calcium is also important for muscle contraction, heartbeat regulation, nerve impulse transmission, regulation of blood pressure, and immune system function. 99% of calcium is stored in our bones, and unfortunately, when you don’t get enough calcium in your diet, the body will pull calcium from the bones to support these other functions. Without adequate calcium, bones become weak and fragile.

Recently, there have been ongoing debates surrounding the intake of calcium supplements. While they do not question the importance of calcium in maximizing bone strength, they do question the healthiest or safest amount recommended for optimal bone health. Some studies found no evidence that calcium supplements prevent fractures in adults or increase bone mineral density in healthy children. Calcium supplementation has also recently been associated with an increased risk of heart attacks. Therefore, healthy adults and children should aim to get the recommended daily amount of calcium from food first and supplement only if needed. In fact, there is no added benefit to taking more calcium than you need in supplements and doing so may increase your risk of other health issues

Although dairy products are the most well-known sources of calcium, it’s not healthy to solely rely on milk, yogurt, and cheese to supply your calcium needs. Adding other foods like:

  • Leafy green vegetables
  • Fish
  • Beans
  • Nuts and seeds

Adding these things to your diet will also help you reach your recommended daily intake of calcium. Pairing calcium-rich foods with foods high in vitamin D, such as egg yolks, shiitake mushrooms, and fish (specifically salmon, mackerel, sardines, and canned tuna), will help the absorption of calcium from your food.

Sun Exposure and Vitamin D

Safe sun exposure and supplements are also ways to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends women and men over the age of 50 years to consume 800 – 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily. Magnesium is another mineral component of the bone matrix and plays an important role in bone metabolism. Magnesium stimulates the hormone calcitonin, which enhances the absorption of calcium from the blood into the bone. Magnesium also helps to convert vitamin D into its active form, which then aids in calcium absorption. Unfortunately, most people don’t get enough magnesium through diet alone.

Additionally, eating a diet high in processed foods and even supplementing with excessive calcium can result in magnesium deficiency. You can help to maintain healthy magnesium levels by including these foods that are high in magnesium in your diet: spinach, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds, Mackerel, beans, quinoa, brown rice, cashews, and almonds. Aim for 400 – 800 mg of magnesium a day.

What About Vitamin K?

Low levels of vitamin K are also emerging as a dietary risk factor for osteoporosis. Vitamin K deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. Studies have shown that postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who supplemented with vitamin K2 achieved significant improvement in vertebral bone mineral density and reduction in the overall risk of fractures. In addition, improved vitamin K status in healthy young girls was associated with a decreased rate of bone turnover. Vitamin K, and more specifically vitamin K2, is necessary to ensure that calcium gets absorbed into the bones and prevents it from being deposited in other areas of the body, such as organs, joint spaces, and arteries. Vitamin K2 is also essential for the activation of osteocalcin, a protein needed to bind calcium to the bone matrix and for blocking the formation of too many osteoclasts. Dietary sources of K2 are primarily found in fermented foods such as Natto, cheeses such as Brie and Gouda, meat, poultry, and eggs. Two common supplemental forms of vitamin K2 are menaquinone-4 (mk-4) and menaquinone-7 (mk-7). Mk-7 is derived from a natural fermentation process and has a longer duration of action, making it a better choice for supplementation.

Studies have shown 45 – 150 micrograms of K2 in the form of mk-7 per day is important for increasing bone strength. Use caution when supplementing with vitamin K if you are taking anticoagulant medications because vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin, meaning it needs to be taken with fat to maximize absorption.

For years, there has been ongoing debate about the effects of animal protein on bone health. Many in the field of nutrition suggest that eating foods such as meat can create a more acidic environment in the body, causing calcium to be leached from the bones. However, recent studies suggest that, although eating animal protein may increase calcium excretion, it also significantly increases calcium absorption resulting in no adverse effects on calcium balance. Animal proteins also provide many important bone growth factors that aid in bone mineralization.

Many plants provide proteins, too, and are also an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, fibers, and antioxidants that are essential to bones. For optimal bone health, add variety to your diet by intermixing nutritious plant-based proteins (beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, natural soy) with high-quality animal proteins (eggs, salmon, lean meats). This will ensure you get all the valuable nutrients needed to build a strong body. Not only nutrient deficiency, but also poor dietary choices, can have a negative impact on bone health.

The Sugar Effect on Bone Health

Diets high in refined sugar have been shown to impair bone growth and mechanical strength. Drinking carbonated soft drinks containing phosphates and coloring has been shown to interfere with calcium metabolism. It is also well known that salt, especially abundant in processed foods, increases the excretion of calcium through the urine. Excessive caffeine, such as four or more cups of coffee a day, can result in loss of calcium and magnesium, predisposing you to higher risk of fractures.

Alcohol also has a negative effect on bone health for several reasons. It alters bone formation and remodeling, interferes with calcium balance, causes disruption in hormones, which can lead to irregular menstrual cycles in women and decreased testosterone in men, and can elevate cortisol levels, leading to bone break down. To maintain healthy bones, limit your alcohol to one or two drinks a day. Your lifestyle choices also affect your bone health.

By far, one of the biggest risk factors for osteoporosis is smoking. Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day increases your risk of osteoporosis by 60%. It has been shown that adolescents that smoke fail to achieve peak bone mass.

Why Exercise Matters

Getting enough physical activity can also mean the difference between a frail and strong skeleton. There is no question that both children and adults who exercise regularly are at less risk of bone loss. Impact exercises, like power walking, jogging, and racket sports, as well as weight lifting, increase bone density.

Recent research indicates that just hopping for two minutes a day can increase bone mass in the hip! Because osteoporosis has no symptoms and is often not discovered until a broken bone occurs, importance lies in taking steps to prevent osteoporosis at an early age. A balanced and varied diet is an important key factor in ensuring proper bone development among young people.

As we age, proper nutrition continues to be necessary to maintain a strong skeleton. If you already have osteoporosis, the good news is that by improving your diet, adjusting your lifestyle habits, and beginning an exercise program, you can slow down bone loss and, in some cases, even reverse it!


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:
503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

Understanding Common Orthopedic Injuries

Article featured on Citizens Specialty Hospital

Orthopedic injuries are among the most common types of injuries that occur in humans. These injuries occur as a result of damage to the musculoskeletal system, which is responsible for the movement of the body. The musculoskeletal system includes the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Orthopedic injuries can result from a variety of causes such as trauma, overuse, and improper use or genetic predisposition. Regardless of what causes these injuries, understanding the symptoms, and treatments for them can make a significant difference in the recovery process.

Fractures are one of the most common types of orthopedic injuries. A fracture occurs when there is a break in the continuity of the bone, and it can happen due to a variety of reasons such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury. The symptoms of a fracture may include pain, swelling, and inability to move the affected area. Treatment for fractures may include immobilization, rest, pain medication, and in severe cases, surgery. The type of treatment prescribed will depend on the severity of the fracture, its location, and the age and general health of the patient.

Sprains are another common orthopedic injury that occurs when a ligament gets stretched or torn. Sprains can happen due to a sudden twist or impact, and they commonly occur in the ankle, knee, or wrist joints. The symptoms of a sprain may include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected joint. Treatment for sprains typically involves rest, elevation, compression, and ice. In severe cases, surgery may be required to repair the damaged ligament or joint.

Tendinitis is a type of orthopedic injury that occurs when tendons, which are the thick bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones, become inflamed. Tendinitis commonly occurs as a result of overuse, and it can affect any tendon in the body. The symptoms of tendinitis may include pain, stiffening, and swelling. Treatment for tendinitis typically involves rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy to help restore strength and flexibility to the affected area.

Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. There are many different types of arthritis, but the most common type is osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear on the joints over time. The symptoms of arthritis may include pain, stiffness, and swelling. Treatment for arthritis involves managing pain and inflammation through medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes such as exercise and weight loss. In severe cases, surgery may be required to replace the damaged joint.


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

Can Weight Training Protect Your Brain from Dementia?

Article featured on MedicalNewsToday

As of 2021, researchers estimate that about 57 million peopleTrusted Source globally were living with dementia — a neurological condition that impacts a person’s memory and thinking skills.

Past studies show there are a number of modifiable lifestyle factors that may help reduce a person’s risk of developing dementia, such as regular exercise both earlier in life and at an older age.

“Dementia affects millions of people worldwide and has a major impact not only on individuals, but also on families and healthcare systems,” Isadora Ribeiro, PhD, a São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) doctoral fellowship recipient at the School of Medical Sciences (FCM) at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil told Medical News Today.

Why focus on weight training?

For this study, researchers recruited 44 adults ages 55 or older with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment.

Study participants were divided into two groups. The weight training group participated in a resistance exercise program with moderate to high intensity sessions twice a week, with progressive loads, meaning weight or sets were increased as participants’ muscles strengthened. The control group did not exercise for the duration of the study.

“We chose to study resistance training because its primary goal is to increase muscle strength, which is especially important in older adults,” Ribeiro explained.

Weight training helps protect certain areas of the brain

At the study’s conclusion, Ribeiro and her team found that after six months, participants in the weight training group showed improvement in verbal episodic memoryTrusted Source and the strength of neurons and areas of the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Conversely, the control group’s participants showed signs of worsening brain parameters.

“This is an interesting finding because it suggests that weight training may not only help to increase cognition, but also prevent the development of atrophy in regions related to Alzheimer’s disease — potentially delaying progression or even preventing the onset of dementia,” Ribeiro details.

Reversing mild cognitive impairment

Scientists also discovered that five participants in the weight training group no longer had a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment when they reached the end of the study.

“This suggests that weight training may alter the clinical trajectory of individuals with mild cognitive impairment, shifting them from an increased risk of dementia to preserved cognition by the end of the study,” Ribeiro said.

Strength training offers even more benefits to older adults

MNT had the opportunity to speak with Gary Small, MD, chair of psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey and author of numerous books on cognitive health and aging, including the New York Times best seller The Memory Bible, about this study.

“These findings are consistent with previous research in animals and humans showing that strength training improves cognitive abilities,” Small commented. “Most of the previous studies demonstrating the brain health benefits of physical activity have focused on aerobic exercise, and that body of research has been compelling that regular physical exercise increases the volume of brain regions controlling memory and thinking.”

Larger studies in different populations still needed

MNT also talked to David Cutler, MD, a board certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, about this research.

Cutler said he did not find the study’s findings surprising because doctors always recommend patients engage in exercise to help prevent cognitive decline.

“I hadn’t seen any studies specifically looking at resistance training, but that wasn’t a surprise, that it was reinforcing that the things that patients are doing in terms of resistance exercises are most likely helpful,” he continued.

“Anytime people engage in any activity, whether it’s exercise, dietary, supplements, or medications, we want to make sure the benefits exceed the risks. And exercise training, especially for older people, can entail some risk. So these exercises need to be guided by someone to make sure patients don’t incur injuries when they’re doing them,” he underscored.

“I think we want to see (this study) in larger numbers, in both men and women, in people with other medical conditions, to make sure that we’re not putting people at risk when they’re undergoing these types of exercise regimens,” Cutler added.


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

The Connection Between Your Posture & Physical Health

Article featured on Watauga Orthopedics

Have you ever observed a ballet dancer’s poise, a yogi’s alignment, or an athlete’s stance? All these individuals have one thing in common – good posture.

Posture is more than just standing tall; it refers to maintaining the correct alignment of your body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity. It plays a significant role in our overall physical health.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the connection between posture and physical health and share some practical tips for improving posture with the help of physical therapy.

Understanding Posture

Posture is more than just standing straight—it’s the position in which you hold your body while sitting, standing, or lying down. Good posture refers to the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity.

It can reduce the chance of injury or long-term health issues, but in practice, it’s a habit that’s challenging for most to maintain.

The Connection Between Posture and Physical Health

Poor posture can lead to numerous health issues, some of which may seem unrelated at first glance. Let’s delve deeper into how posture affects our health.

  • Back and Neck Pain: Poor posture is one of the leading causes of back and neck pain. Slouching or hunching over can put extra stress on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine, leading to discomfort and pain over time.
  • Joint Wear and Tear: Incorrect posture can lead to abnormal wearing of joint surfaces, which could result in conditions like arthritis.
  • Fatigue: When we don’t use our bodies efficiently, we end up expending more energy. This can make us feel tired and fatigued.
  • Breathing Issues: Poor posture can also affect your lung capacity. Slumping or slouching can compress your lungs, making it harder for them to expand fully when you breathe.
  • Digestive Problems: Believe it or not, your posture can even impact your digestion. Sitting or standing improperly can compress your organs, slowing down the digestive process.

How Physical Therapy Can Help Improve Your Posture and Physical Health

Here is how physical therapy can help improve your posture and overall physical health.

Posture Assessment

The first step in improving your posture through physical therapy is a thorough posture assessment. During this evaluation, a physical therapist will observe you from different angles as you sit, stand, and move. This comprehensive assessment allows them to identify any postural deviations or imbalances that may be contributing to discomfort or potential health issues.

For instance, they may check if your shoulders are level, if your head is straight, and if the spaces between your arms and sides are equal. They might also assess the alignment of your knees and ankles. These observations help the therapist understand your body’s unique mechanics and pinpoint any areas of concern.

Personalized Exercise Program

Once the physical therapist has a clear understanding of your postural habits, they can design a personalized exercise program tailored to your needs. This program typically includes specific exercises aimed at strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight ones, both of which contribute to poor posture.

For example, if your assessment reveals a forward head posture (common among people who work on computers), your physical therapist might suggest exercises to strengthen your neck and upper back muscles.

Similarly, if you have a slouched posture, exercises focusing on opening the chest and strengthening the core could be beneficial.

Ergonomic Recommendations

Another critical aspect of improving posture through physical therapy is making ergonomic adjustments. Ergonomics refers to the science of designing and arranging things individuals use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.

A physical therapist can provide recommendations for setting up your workspace, home, or even car in a way that supports good posture. This might include suggestions for the right type of desk chair, the positioning of your computer monitor and keyboard, or even the kind of shoes you should wear.

These modifications can significantly reduce strain on your body and improve your posture over time.

Education

A physical therapy provider can also offer necessary education on improving posture. Typically, they recommend tips such as:

  • Practicing Mindful Sitting: A physical therapist can instruct you on the correct way to sit. This typically involves keeping your feet flat on the floor, your back straight, and your shoulders relaxed.
  • Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Excess weight can put additional strain on your muscles and ligaments, leading to poor posture. A physical therapist can provide advice on diet and exercise to help you maintain a healthy weight.
  • Being Mindful of Your Posture Throughout the Day: It’s easy to forget about your posture during the course of a busy day. A physical therapist can teach you techniques to remind yourself to check your posture regularly, such as setting reminders on your phone or associating posture checks with specific daily activities.
  • Getting Regular Sleep: Poor sleep can contribute to muscle fatigue and tension, making it harder to maintain good posture. Your physical therapist can provide tips on creating a sleep-friendly environment and establishing a regular sleep schedule.
  • Avoiding Prolonged Static Positions: Staying in one position for extended periods can lead to muscle fatigue and strain. Your physical therapist can advise you on taking regular breaks to move and stretch your body.

Regular Follow-ups

Like any treatment plan, improving posture through physical therapy requires consistent effort and regular follow-ups. These sessions allow the therapist to monitor your progress, address any new concerns, and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

During these follow-ups, your physical therapist may reassess your posture, review your exercise program, and make necessary modifications based on your progress. They also provide an opportunity for you to discuss any difficulties or challenges you’re experiencing, ensuring a smooth and successful posture correction journey.


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

The Strengths of Weight-Bearing Exercises

Article featured on Hawaii Pacific Health

Yoga, dance, boxing, aerobics, even team sports – all forms of physical activity present numerous benefits for your overall health.

However, specifically integrating weight-bearing exercises into your training program will present benefits that other exercises may be lacking.

Weight-bearing exercises are exercises in which your body fights against gravity to complete a movement. When participating in these exercises, more bone cells are produced as a result of the bones adapting to the impact of weight and various muscle pulls, thus decreasing the risk of bone fractures.

Adding weight-bearing exercises to your training program can help strengthen various parts of your body:

  • Muscles – Weight-bearing exercises help build muscles that support and protect your joints, increase overall balance, and even improve your reaction time, all of which can help prevent potential injuries.
  • Flexibility – Stretching your limbs through activities like yoga can help your joints reach their full mobility, keeping them happy and working like a well-oiled machine.
  • Brain – Exercising frequently helps provide more blood to the brain, which helps sustain cognitive performance.
  • Heart – With physical activity, your heart will pump more blood to oxygenate your entire body. Eventually, your heart will become stronger and not have to work as hard to circulate blood while you are resting, thus decreasing heart failure symptoms.
  • Bones – New bone tissue is consistently forming while old tissue is continuously being removed. As we age, tissue is often removed quicker than it’s formed, which is why people tend to have weaker bones when they’re older. Weight-bearing activities create the stress needed to stimulate the formation of new tissue.

Activities like swimming and cycling are great aerobic exercises, but they aren’t considered weight-bearing exercises and don’t present these same benefits, especially when it comes to improving bone density.

Some examples of weight-bearing activities include:

  • Yoga.
  • Pilates.
  • Walking.
  • Jogging.
  • Elliptical machine.
  • Stair climber.
  • Basketball.
  • Body-weight exercises.
  • Weight machines.
  • Free weights.
  • Exercise bands.
  • Tai chi.
  • Core exercises.

Remember to get clearance from your primary care physician before beginning any new workout program.


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

Why It’s Important to Warm-Up Before Exercise With Osteoarthritis


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

Identifying and Treating Early Orthopedic Conditions in Children


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

How to Stay Healthy When Exercising


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm

What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?


The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.

Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.

Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.

Phone:

503-224-8399

Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm