It starts as a slight ache in your shoulder or a twinge in your lower back. Over time, those occasional discomforts evolve into chronic joint pain. For many adults in Fort Myers—especially those 45 and older—the culprit isn’t always aging or arthritis. It could be posture.

At Gardner Orthopedics, Dr. Ron Gardner and his team frequently evaluate patients who are surprised to learn that their joint issues stem not from injury or wear-and-tear, but from years of poor spinal alignment.

“Your posture impacts how your entire musculoskeletal system functions. When your spine is misaligned, it puts extra pressure on joints, muscles, and nerves, often leading to chronic pain,” says Dr. Gardner, board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Gardner Orthopedics.

Let’s explore how posture affects joint health and what you can do to correct it—before the pain leads to more serious intervention.

The Posture-Joint Pain Connection

You may not associate slouching at your desk or looking down at your phone with hip or knee pain, but posture influences your body from head to toe. According to the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, postural deviations—like forward head tilt or rounded shoulders—can increase mechanical stress on the spine and joints, leading to compensatory strain in other areas.¹

Over time, the body adapts to these imbalances in unhealthy ways:

  • Neck and upper back pain from prolonged forward head posture

  • Lower back stress from anterior pelvic tilt

  • Hip, knee, and ankle discomfort due to uneven gait or load distribution

“Your joints weren’t designed to compensate for poor alignment indefinitely. Eventually, they wear out or become inflamed, triggering pain and limiting mobility,” explains Dr. Gardner.

What Does “Good Posture” Actually Mean?

Posture isn’t about standing ramrod straight or stiff. It’s about maintaining the body in a position that places the least strain on joints and muscles while staying balanced and flexible.

Hallmarks of healthy posture include:

  • Ears aligned over shoulders

  • Shoulders relaxed (not rounded or hunched)

  • Spine in a natural “S” curve

  • Hips level, knees soft—not locked

  • Even weight distribution on both feet when standing

Slouching, hunching, or leaning heavily to one side shifts the body out of alignment and creates muscle imbalances that tug on joints, cartilage, and tendons.

How Gardner Orthopedics Helps Patients Realign

At Gardner Orthopedics in Fort Myers, patients experiencing joint pain undergo a thorough assessment that may include gait analysis, spinal screening, and imaging to evaluate alignment.

Dr. Gardner notes, “We always look upstream. If someone comes in with knee pain, we don’t just examine the knee—we assess how their entire posture and biomechanics may be contributing to the problem.”

Once identified, posture-related joint pain can often be addressed through:

  • Targeted physical therapy to retrain muscle groups and improve body mechanics

  • Regenerative medicine to reduce joint inflammation and encourage healing

  • Custom orthotics or braces to help redistribute weight and stabilize gait

  • Ergonomic and lifestyle coaching to make lasting adjustments at work and home

Prevention: Posture Tips for Every Day

Changing posture habits isn’t about drastic shifts—it’s about consistent small corrections. Here’s how to start improving today:

  • Screen at eye level: Avoid looking down at phones or laptops for extended periods.

  • Supportive footwear: Shoes with arch support reduce strain from the ground up.

  • Core engagement: A strong core supports the spine and promotes better posture.

  • Standing desks: Break up long sitting periods with posture-conscious standing.

“Simple habits like adjusting your chair or engaging your abdominal muscles when you walk can make a significant difference in posture-related joint pain,” says Dr. Gardner.

When Is It Time to Seek Help?

If you’re dealing with joint discomfort that isn’t improving—or it worsens with daily activities—it may be time to visit a specialist. Many of Gardner Orthopedics’ patients in Fort Myers had no idea that their wrist, shoulder, or hip pain could be linked to posture until a proper assessment revealed the connection.

The good news? Once identified, posture-related pain often responds well to non-surgical treatments, giving patients a path to recovery without invasive procedures.

Why Fort Myers Residents Choose Gardner Orthopedics

As a leading orthopedic practice in Southwest Florida, Gardner Orthopedics stands out for its commitment to whole-body care. Dr. Gardner and his team treat not just symptoms, but the underlying biomechanical and lifestyle contributors to joint pain. Whether you need orthopedic surgery, interventional pain management, or posture correction support, they provide personalized, evidence-based care every step of the way.

Clinic Overview

Gardner Orthopedics is a full-service orthopedic clinic located in Fort Myers, FL. Founded by Dr. Ron Gardner, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, the clinic offers comprehensive care including orthopedic surgery, pain management, regenerative medicine, physical therapy, foot and ankle care, and Platinum Physicals.

📍 3033 Winkler Ave. Ste. 100, Fort Myers, FL 33916
📞 239-277-7070
🌐 www.gardnerorthopedics.com