This is a waste of time if you have back pain.
I’m going to let you in on a dirty secret…
If you’ve got back pain the last thing I want you to do is be worried about your posture.
I know what you might be thinking because the majority of health professionals will tell you that your posture is bad and that it’s causing you discomfort. The truth is, posture is more of a cultural idea than one that is rooted in science.
Believe me, somedays I wish posture was a prime cause to back pain. That would make my job sooo much easier because I could simply focus on my client’s posture and presto, their back pain would vanish!
However, I’m sincerely interested in promoting and practising things that have been scientifically proven to work. Ethically it’s right thing and also, it’s way more effective!
So what do you focus on instead of posture to help your back?
What should be promoted out there in the health world is that there is no ‘right’ posture to be in but instead, the ‘right’ or ‘best’ posture is your NEXT posture - dynamic not static.
The human form is inherently dynamic, we aren’t designed to be still for very long and we’re actually really bad at it (if you’re a fidgeter I’m one of you!).
This relates to one of the fundamental principles that creates a healthy lower back - movement.
‘Good’ posture is a dynamic affair. It’s not a static adherence that you must maintain when standing or sitting, have you ever actually tried that? It’s really uncomfortable!
Also, if you were always meant to be upright why wouldn’t your spine just evolve to always be upright, problem solved right?..
Movement over posture
What you should be focusing on instead is movement variability which is a fancy way of saying, move in as many different ways as possible on a regular basis. This will give you ‘dynamic good posture’ which is way healthier for you than trying to rigidly hold an upright position all the time.
Where does the rubber meet the road here?
Today when you’re sitting down at your desk or with your laptop, when your back begins to feel sore you don’t have to resort to an upright sitting posture.
(you can but you don’t have to)
If you’re leaning to the left for example, try moving over to the right or crossing your legs the other way if they’re crossed.
Changing sitting positions moves the pressure around in your back, ensuring that no specific area is over pressured.
Instead of thinking that upright sitting is the best position, view it as one of many sitting options you should adopt if you’re sitting for a long period of time.
Want do to something weekly to keep your lower back strong, flexible and pain free? Use the code BACK and get 50% of your first month as a Pilates+ member!
You’ll gain access to 9 live sessions a week + unlimited access to the Member’s Area full of pre-recorded Pilates+ sessions that you can do anytime.
Click here to sign up and remember to use the code BACK to gain your 50% discount!
Movement is medicine
Tom