Poor Posture

[LisaR]

My 12 y/o has incredibly poor posture. I have noticed it and corrected him for years but it has taken on a whole new form lately. His back almost resembles the Hunchback lately. His shoulders are slumped forward and he has this arch around his upper back. He went in for his physical in January and the doctor even lectured him about it. He is tall and lanky and it is very noticeable now. I can't figure out how to stop this bad habit besides constantly yelling "posture" to him so he straightens out. He claims he doesn't notice it and he doesn't feel a difference when his shoulders are back versus rolled forward. He is double jointed everywhere and grossly flexible. I am not sure if that has anything to do with it. Any suggestions besides smacking him upside the head?

 

[Christine]

He is double jointed everywhere and grossly flexible. I am not sure if that has anything to do with it. Any suggestions besides smacking him upside the head?

Probably.

My son can slouch too. He has "lax" joints versus being double jointed.

Anyway, a coworker and I were recently talking about flat feet and orthotics. She said that she just found out her 15 y/o son is very flat-footed. The pediatrician never told her even after she had addressed some issues (namely that he always appeared knock-kneed). They took him to a podiatrist and had him fitted with orthotics and she said it made a HUGE difference in his posture. Just a thought.

 

[Becky2005]

Has he been checked for scoliosis?

My DH's wasn't caught until he was a sophomore & the doctor's had kept telling him to sit up straight -- as far as he was concerned he WAS!!! By the time they figured it out it was too late to do anything about it & basically, my DH CAN do an awesome hunchback impression because he basically IS.

I'm assuming the doctor had him do the dive test (I forget the official name - Addams I think?) -- he bends forward puts his hands together and is going to dive off a diving board. IF not, I would have him do that.

We found out my DD had it at her 6th grade physical and then the next year did an x-ray, it was a pretty big curve and I kick myself for not checking it out more when it was first mentioned. In our case, we even were watching due to DH having scoliosis.

 

[LisaR]

Christine,
He is flat footed. We've had doctors joke that he will never get into the military strictly based on his feet. However, they have never recommended orthotics or a specialist.

Becky,
The doctor did do the dive test at his physical. That is when she began lecturing him about his posture and how important it was to straighten up. She mentioned to him that he will have back problems if he keeps this up but she never mentioned scoliosis.

 

[Becky2005]

I'm glad to hear the doctor did the dive test! Apparently, it's not as common as it used to be. It's the simpliest test in the world & I remember when it was actually done in 7th grade in our school for us. Therefore, I just wanted to make sure to check for it.

DH's school didn't do it. When DD was diagnoised (she had to wear a brace for a couple years & unfortunately for us ended up with surgery), the school nurse asked how we found out, when I said during the physical she made a comment on "good for your doctor"...made it sound to me like it's not standard procedure anymore.

It just sounded like from your description it could be that & he's at the right age where rapid growth spurts can happen & that is the time it tends to show up. I do know it's more common in girls than boys but considering my DH has it, his father has it & his grandfather had it...it's not impossible (which always baffles me how his parents had no clue but I also missed my DD's when it first started showing up).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am hypermobile. I probably would have been an awesome gymnast if I had only stronger muscles and actually took a gymnastics class.

My hypermobility--has become a curse. I have had severl rounds of PT and finally did pilates to get that core strong. I was a sloucher--but honestly until I started working on my core strength, there was little to do.

I had PT b/c ultimately I had "injured' myself as a result and had to have that all fixed and then worked on strengthening.

I have been too sick this pregnancy t o do my exercises--but I still feel stronger than in past pregnancies and not as "slouchy".

Just commenting b/c my mom ALWAYS corrected me on my posture. IT turns out that despite getting screened and getting told that I did not have scolios, I do have a very mild scoliosis which contributed to my problems.

I am also flat footed. My feet enjoy being that way and hate orthotics.

To me--commanding that he correct his posture isn't going to do it--but having exercises that help contribute to a correct posture will. Eventually he'll have no choice but to stand up straight b/c his muscles will command it.

I did the dive test when I was young and unless it is a very trained eye (and sorry, GP docs don't count!)--mild scoliosis will not be discovered. I was initially diagnosed via x-ray at a quack of a chiropractor (I swear they swithced out films b/c my curve was not as pronounced as what the x-ray showed. I now see a very good and reputable chiropractor!) The diagnosis was later confirmed upon detailed physical examination/measurements with a physical therapist.

Just thought i'd comment from a different perspective. In my case--my "ladies" didn't help either and made it more difficult to stand up straight. Obviously your son will not have that problem.

But since you are concerned, I thought I'd share.

I also get chiropractice adjustments and that helps a little bit. I get a spot in the center of my upper back that when it is out of whack, standing up straight and proper is not only painful, but sometimes impossible.

My scoliosis is at the lower part of my back.

 

[NotUrsula]

Well, you could tell him that he looks like Miley Cyrus ...

I swear, every time I saw her in the Oscar footage in that strapless dress, I wanted to go up behind her and slap her between the shoulder blades with the book she should be learning to carry on her head!

Seriously, with boys, the best motivation is not looking scrawny. Slumped shoulders make your chest concave. For a guy, having no pecs at all is usually NOT a point of pride.

I don't have this problem with DS, because he was born with severely winged scapula. He's very self-conscious about them, so he makes it a point to keep his shoulders high and back to flatten them as much as possible.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Off topic here, but I have been wanting to post since last night...

What is she doing in her bra???
Where is the top to her dress????

Seriously, the skirt is jaw-dropping gorgeous!
But, that does not look like a strapless dress to me..
Just an undergarment, and something must have happened to the top.

 

[boomersmom]

I can't believe I found this thread today! I was just going to post/ask about the same thing. My son is 17 and his posture is terrible. He has low muscle tone and flexible joints. He started physical and occupational therapy at 4 years, which continued through 6th grade. His posture didn't really become an issue until Middle School. He has orthotics. He has been to an orthopedic doctor who specializes in backs. He sent him to a physical therapist who gave him some exercises to do. He has been doing these for well over a year. I think there has been a slight improvement, but he is still extremely hunchnd and round shouldered. The doctor said a brace would be too uncomfortable and kind of sent us on our way. Anyway, my question is about pilates. A previous poster mentioned that they believed this helped them. I don't know much about pilates, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with any of the machines? Are there any that would be especially helpful with posture? At 17 I am afraid it may already be too late to correct this, but would like to try. Thanks

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay, back on topic...
My son is pretty flat-footed.
You can see the 'pronation' in his ankles and knock-knees.
Along with all the other posture problems.

1. being very flexible or loose-jointed is not a good thing.
one needs a strong, straight, posture, and that 'core strength' that has been mentioned.

2. this posture will take it's toll.

3. my son wears major arch-supports. And when he gets older, we will take him to an orthopedic.

PS: about a GP family physician or school nurse identifying and giving sound advice about this type of thing....

 

[Wishing on a star]

For older boys, I wonder about a good fitness/bodybuilding/weight training program....

How about Karate...

I do think that this is the kind of thing that takes some real effort on the part of the individual. And, the kid has to be really interested and motivated. It's not always easy to motivate kids this age!

 

[Christine]

Okay, back on topic...
My son is pretty flat-footed.
You can see the 'pronation' in his ankles and knock-knees.
Along with all the other posture problems.

1. being very flexible or loose-jointed is not a good thing.
one needs a strong, straight, posture, and that 'core strength' that has been mentioned.

2. this posture will take it's toll.

3. my son wears major arch-supports. And when he gets older, we will take him to an orthopedic.

PS: about a GP family physician or school nurse identifying and giving sound advice about this type of thing....

I am also loose jointed, like my son. It's NOT a good thing. At 46, I'm now dealing with posterior tibial tendonititis from years of too much pronation. I *should* have been wearing orthotics. My feet don't like them either LisaLovesPooh but the damage is done. I also have a problem with heels because my knee caps move to freely--again, the lax tendons.

OP--pediatricians in my experience are HORRIBLY remiss on this issue. Go to an orthopedic doctor and have them really look at your son (back, knees, feet) and see what they recommend.

As for me, I never had the poor posture so I do think those teenage boys enjoy doing that but it's not good for a person with this issue.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks everyone. You certainly have me thinking now. My son is flat footed, knee knocked, low muscle tone, double jointed and has the poor posture. I had him bend over and to my untrained eye, his spine looks very straight. One thing I did notice is the four bones that start at the base of his neck severely protrude from his body. I mean they are huge. I had my 14 y/o do the same thing and while I can feel those same four bones on her, I can't see them sticking out. When DS stood straight, I could still see those four bones popping out. I never noticed that before on him. Of course, it could be nothing but it really looks odd.

 

[bumbershoot]

Chiropractic! Start now. It'll help.


As for Miley, Kristen Stewart was standing the same way. I think that females often slouch if they are taller than the others around them especially when young, before they learn to embrace the height. Plus, she was probably afraid she would stand up straight and pop right out of the top. Anyway, it's really common for young, taller females to stand like that, to minimize their height.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My DD has poor posture because she is a swimmer. She has really developed back muscles. I have her peds. check her back every year.

You should see all of the swimmers out of the pool. It is a slouchfest!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Anyway, my question is about pilates. A previous poster mentioned that they believed this helped them. I don't know much about pilates, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with any of the machines? Are there any that would be especially helpful with posture? At 17 I am afraid it may already be too late to correct this, but would like to try. Thanks

That was me--I only did it AFTER physical therapy. I had never considered it but when I graduated PT, they sent me to it and I had to do it at a small scale studio with more personal attention. I used the reformer and it was great.

IF he has a good instructor--it can be helpful. Itcan get expensive though.

When I first graduated PT,I was able to do a vidoe. But after the second round (had a baby in between) of PT, I was directed to an instructor. My body falls out of alignment so easily and I end up doing exercises incorrectly and was getting weaker instead of stronger.

I did Pilates for 2 years and quit this pregnancy when I got too sick. Then hubby moved away. I hope to go back to it some day. But it is out of the cards right now. It was very helpful and really helped to mitigate the problems I was experiencing.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am also loose jointed, like my son. It's NOT a good thing. At 46, I'm now dealing with posterior tibial tendonititis from years of too much pronation. I *should* have been wearing orthotics. My feet don't like them either LisaLovesPooh but the damage is done. I also have a problem with heels because my knee caps move to freely--again, the lax tendons.

OP--pediatricians in my experience are HORRIBLY remiss on this issue. Go to an orthopedic doctor and have them really look at your son (back, knees, feet) and see what they recommend.

As for me, I never had the poor posture so I do think those teenage boys enjoy doing that but it's not good for a person with this issue.

My feet for some reason have developed a subtle arch. I now would have to "force it" to make a duck print on a pool deck.

My problems--are in my sacrum, and slightly above ith the mild scoliosis--the core weakness and hyper mobility exaggerates some torque on the lower spine and that tips my pelvis and sacrum and a domino effect ensues. I will sometimes have one leg longer than the other--untila PT or chiropractor works on my Psoas muslce and adjusts my lower back. Then my legs match once again.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thanks everyone. You certainly have me thinking now. My son is flat footed, knee knocked, low muscle tone, double jointed and has the poor posture. I had him bend over and to my untrained eye, his spine looks very straight. One thing I did notice is the four bones that start at the base of his neck severely protrude from his body. I mean they are huge. I had my 14 y/o do the same thing and while I can feel those same four bones on her, I can't see them sticking out. When DS stood straight, I could still see those four bones popping out. I never noticed that before on him. Of course, it could be nothing but it really looks odd.

FYI--my scoliosis was visually detected via x-ray and only manually confirmed by feeling each of my vertebrae. It isn't visible by me bending over. But bending over helps the person examining to feel where the curve is. It is a mild S-curve to the side in my lower back just above the sacrum (flat triangulary shaped bone above the "line" in the behind).

 

[momof1princess]

i have to second the PP who mentioned chiropractic care. i've been a sloucher all my life, and am now in treatment for it with a chiropractor. she has let me know in no uncertain terms that if i don't learn to sit up straight, i will be causing what will eventually become irreversible damage to my spine. right now, it is level 1, which is correctable. it is causing me HORRENDOUS pain, which i wouldn't wish on anyone. if your son will go, please consider taking him to a chiropractor. it really is painless.

 

[NotUrsula]

As for Miley, Kristen Stewart was standing the same way. I think that females often slouch if they are taller than the others around them especially when young, before they learn to embrace the height. Plus, she was probably afraid she would stand up straight and pop right out of the top. Anyway, it's really common for young, taller females to stand like that, to minimize their height.

Which would make a certain amount of sense if either of them were tall, but they are not. Stewart is 5'6", Cyrus is 5" 4 1/2". I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that neither one of them has ever had decent posture training. Cyrus even slouches when dancing, which is awful. (What on earth happened to Disney's machine, to let her get away with that?)

IME, the real reason young girls deliberately slouch is less often their height than it is the development of their chests. They tend to be self-conscious about it, especially if the boys of their aquaintance tease them. I might have done that had I not had the mother I did -- she was manic about posture, and if she caught you slouching you paid big time. (Incidentally, she came from a family of women who tended to be quite chesty, but short.)