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Posture causing digestive problems

1022
  • By 1022
  • Posted June 15, 2009 at 3:48 pm · 13 replies
  • In Help desk
  • Shared with the public
1 Recommendation

I have had osteoporosis for over ten years. My posture is so bad I need a walker to get around. I can not stand up straight on my own unless I hold on to something. I am now having problems with my internal organs as they all seem to want to congregate on my right side as that is the weak side of my body. When I sit down this causes a problem with digestion while eating a meal. Does anyone else have this sort of problem and might have some suggetions as to the type of doctor I should see. Thanks for your suggestions.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Scoliosis Boniva Forteo Fractures Hernia Pain Osteoporosis Chiropractic Hiatal hernia

13 replies

debbie59

Do you have a lot of compression fractures in your spine? I ask because I have several and they have effected my breathing. I'm sorry to hear of the severity of your osteoporosis and all the pain. I'm also on forteo, almost 2 years now. I read in your profile you are on forteo. I'm very pleased with the results so far. My rheumatologist told me the more your spine collapses it leaves less and less room for all our organs. I don't know if the damage can be repaired, just praying that it stops progressing. Lots of luck to you.

1022

Debbi59, Thank you for responding. I was hoping I was not alone with this problem. I have been off Forteo, two years come October. It did improve my bone density and my doctor was very please. I am now on Boniva. I just started it last month and have had no problem with it. I have been noticing I have been getting breathless sometimes latley. Also sometimes hard to digest food. My body wants to lean to the right which squashes my body. That was the side I fractured my pelvis on, so I guess that is where the problem started. I had gone four months before I found out it was fractured. I was being treated for my back so I had no idea about my pelvis. It is a complicated story. Anyway thank you for your response. I am going to my doctor on the first of the month. I have never discussed this problem before. I will let you know what he says. Thanks and God Bless
1022 Mary

SaraMeeks

Dear Mary:
Your condition sounds serious and I would recommend you see a physical therapist who is trained in management of osteoporosis. It sounds as though you also might have a problem with a scoliosis which might be secondary to the osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis and compression fractures definitely affect the internal organs -- as the spine shortens there is increased compression on the internal organs.
I might also recommend that you begin my Re-Alignment Routine which will begin to help strengthen your spine. For that, you would send me a personal email to sara@sarameekspt.com and I could send the document by return email.
Sounds as though you need to get started on something right away.

juliemarie

Mary's post was so interesting. My mother, who died of the complications of osteoporosis, also was extremely bent over. She died of a spinal infection that was caused by the compression fractures that occurred as she became more and more bent. She said that she could stand up straight but it was so difficult and she was too tired to do it. This from a woman who was a stunning beauty and a passionate advocate of good posture = good health! She was also a pro-am athlete.

I am now trying to straighten my posture that I noticed has become a bit bent from inattention and laziness. I am using a stretchy brace that slips over my shoulders and sort of 'reminds' me to stand tall. I have improved greatly and feel strong and confident as I move through my day.

It is interesting to hear that there are specific exercises we can use to help correct this problem.

Whatever we do--let's stand tall for our spines' sake.

Cher1

What kind of a brace do you wear? I am interested in finding something that reminds me to stand taller.
Thanks.

Loods

Dear Mary,

I sympathize because I have extreme scoliosis which means all my organs are very squashed. As well as breathing problems and digestive problems my bladder is also pressed on!

As far as digestion goes, I find it better to eat small and often and avoid large meals that make me feel uncomfortable. I suppose one bonus to this is I can never over eat because my stomach just doesn't have the room!

I think wearing a brace and following the exercise regime sounds like a good idea and may well help you in the long run.

Good luck.

Loods

juliemarie

Loods, you can probably get all sorts of types of posture braces at any good medical supply outlet. However, believe it- I found mine in Carol Wright Gifts. I bought the L'Essentiel posture bra, (62087BGE34 D) the last 3 digits refer to the size-I have always been big busted but thin. I love it and will order it in all the colors they have. I also bought 66567 Posture Support-this is the strongest one. And, I bought 60537-that is the shoulder harness that fits over your regular bra. I like this one when I am working around the house or yard. I don't wear them in yoga since I like to have an unfetered way to work. But I put one of them on right after class.

A bonus-I really look high and perky and can wear the knit summer tops I could not wear for the past few years. Sometimes, there is a bonus in all this.

I sent for the exercises yesterday and sara@sarameekspt.com graciously sent them to me. At first, they seem almost too simple: the first one is just to lie on the floor and feel the spine hitting the flat surface on all the important points. What a surprise to find out this is not as easy as it seems and really brings the point home that we are more at risk than we think.

Another thing, I got muscle pain in the top of my back when I started to 'stand up straight.' Be aware of this since our muscles have become lazy as we let our posture bend.

Let us know how you do...juliemarie

PBanks

I had problems breathing, digestive and other issues from scoliosis and a couple head injuries. For a few years now I have been going to a neuromuscular therapist (NMT) in conjunction with other therapies like chiropractic etc. My NMT has helped with getting and keeping my organs in place. It’s amazing how many problems can be caused by this issue. It sounds a bit odd but if they can move out of place they can get nudged back by someone who knows what they are doing. It’s likely not the only answer just one piece of the puzzle. Good luck!

1022

I want to thank everybody with great suggestions. Now I don't feel so alone. It is hard to discuss this problem with people that have no idea what my problem could be as it is something not visable. I go to my rheumatologist next Wednesday, July 1st and will discuss this problem and mention these suggestions. I will get back to you with his answers. Thanks again 1022 Mary

Char42

Hey PBanks, I also have been to a neuromuscular therapist and will continue. Meanwhile I bought The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies. It is a self-help/treatment for painful trigger points in muscles and I have been able by following the treatment guide to rid myself of shin splints, shoulder pain and some rib pain. The rib pain is more persistent but I am persistent with treatment and I am finding less rib pain, today no rib pain after yesterdays massage treatment.
Some of the hard to reach muscles such as the psoas are much more difficult to treat. I will follow up with a NMT in Milwaukee as he has treated the Olympic skaters. My psoas muscle has soreness from doing the splits on skates, I no longer do the splits or skate, but the damage is done. After psoas muscle treatment the pain is gone, but slowly comes back. I should stay off my bike.
Insurance does not cover NMT treatment.

PBanks

Char42, unfortunately insurance doesnt' pay but should it's a valuable therapy. Right now the Scalene muscles are a huge issue that we are working through.
My ribs were so bad that it took about 4 years to get them back in the right position. Nothing like getting a good deep breathe of air without chest pain. Thankfully, I don't have any fusion and I have reversed my scoliosis. Can't say enough about good NMT. Of course that isn't all what I was doing but it was key in my recovery. Glad to hear it has worked for you as well.

rosie5804

The secret to standing straight is to raise your rib cage, slowly relax your shoulders making sure to keep the rib cage up. In my case, poor posture caused intense pain by putting pressure on a hiatal hernia, and made my reflux worse. I discovered this thirty years ago while taking dance lessons and the instructor kept reminding us to lift our rib cage. After several weeks of assuming the proper posture the pain was gone and the reflux much improved. As I've aged it hasn't been easy to stand and sit straight by keeping my rib cage raised. The stretching and muscle exercises I learned has kept me felexable enough to touch the floor with my fingers, and helps me deal with osteoporsis and using a cane for balance.

debbie59

I want my boobs to be small and perky!! I think i'll have to ask the plastic surgeon for them. I hate bras!! They were invented by men you know. It's Friday and I'm felling a little bawdy!

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