Addressing the Myth of Perfect Posture
Have you ever wondered what the perfect desk posture is? here we debunk the Myth of Perfect Posture
This is often blamed for many ailments we face in our day to day life. Bad Back? It’s your posture, Bad Neck? It’s your posture
Liverpool get beaten 3 - 0 by Manchester United it’s your posture!
I’m just kidding that last one never happens!
There seems to be this idea that if we sit or stand in a certain posture that we will be rid of all our pain. Remember when you were at school and the teacher told you to sit up straight, shoulders back and down, no slouching, that sort of thing.
I also remember that big craze with fit-balls, you know those big, inflatable balls you use at the gym. Offices were buying those for employees to sit on because supposedly it improved your posture!
Well they didn’t last long in the office did they? “Why”? I hear you ask.
Well the reason is there isn't one certain posture or way of sitting that is necessarily bad for your body. The real issue is staying in one posture for too long! The reason you can’t maintain that bolt upright shoulders back and down position is because your muscles get tired. That happens in any posture. Muscles only have a certain amount of energy and if you use them long enough that energy will run out, which is when you get aches and pains.
So what can you do about it? The best piece of advice in this matter came from Eric Cressey “the best posture is an ever changing one”. Now this doesn’t mean you need to be constantly moving every second of the day, however. Try to move every 20 - 30 minutes, especially if you work at a desk or in one position for hours on end.
You can set an alarm on your phone or use an old fashioned egg timer, do they still have those now?
Each time it goes off go grab yourself a glass of water or have a walk around the workplace.
For more advice on this matter or anything regarding pain drop us an e mail or call at
Hereford Osteopathic Centre
Written by Jamie Morris Registered Osteopath
(01432) 35 66 55