Working on Posture

I’ve been undergoing physical therapy for the past few months due to a rotator cuff pull (or tear). I’m making nice progress and am nearing the end of PT. Two weeks ago at my session the therapist noted that my upper back would not straighten up like she would like. This was keeping me from achieving some of the shoulder flexibility we’ve been trying to achieve.  I have always had a “slouch”.  I have even listed this as something I wanted to work on  in years past during my annual New Year goal session. But I didn’t really know what to do to address it. When I think about it or see myself in the mirror I would stand more erect. Typically this would end after a just a few breaths. I found it unnatural and tiring.

The PT showed me some work with a foam roller to stretch that area and told me to focus on it the same way I have been working on my shoulder flexibility. I’ve been doing this several times a day for the past two weeks and maintaining the stretch for 30 – 60 seconds each time. She said to especially do this after X-C skiing.

I think that it is making a difference. It’s hard to quantify but the past couple of nights I have been sleeping most of the night on my back. This is something that was always difficult for me. I would use a couple of pillows and make it part of the night but then the urge to move onto my side was too great. I’ve only been using one firm pillow and I’ve been sleeping quite well.

I’ll continue the stretching and see if I can notice any other results.

Namaste