Sit Up!

I have written previously that there is no posture that fits everyone. What may be deemed as a 'bad' posture may be suitable for another person. Moreover, if 295 physiotherapists (from 4 different countries) can't agree exactly what 'good posture' is then how can the average or non medical professional know.

How to sit up comfortably?

*I won't say that you need to always sit up straight. Case in point, I often slouch and lean back while sitting as it is the most comfortable position for my twice broken back.

However, there are other benefits to sitting up straight it seems. Researchers compared subjects who sat up straight to subjects who slump and found that good posture was linked to higher confidence. 

The participants were asked to think about and write down their best or worst qualities while they were sitting with their backs erect and pushing their chest out (confident posture). Or slouched forward with their back curved (doubtful posture). They then completed a number of measures and reported their self evaluations. The ressearchers found that sitting up straight boosted their assuredness in their ideas (Brinol et al, 2009).

Another study by Peper et al (2018) tested how sitting position affected students tested on their feelings about math tests. Students who were good at Math experienced no difference taking the test slouching or sitting up straight. The students who were anxious about Math found the test more manageable when sitting up straight. 

So taking a brief moment to breathe and adjust your posture before a tough conversation with your boss or a big presentation at work can help you navigate important moments with confidence. How we carry ourselves doesn't just affect our bodies, it also affects our brains.

References

Brinol P, Petty RE and Wagner BC (2009). Body Posture Effects On Self-evaluation: A Self-validation Approach. E J Social Pysch. 39(6): 1053-1064. DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.607

Peper E, Harvey R, Mason L et al (2018). Do Better In Math: How Your Body Posture May Change Stereotype Threat Response. NeuroRegulation. 5(2): 67-74. DOI: 10.15540/nr.5.2.67

*Too many companies have spent money on ergonomic programs to prevent back pain. This usually involves a health professional/ physiotherapist (trained in ergonomics) checking your office chair/ desk height, screen height/ position with respect to your keyboard/ mouse to ensure everything is lined up in a straight line.

However, there is very little evidence linking back pain to poor posture. Oops, this basically means a huge profitable industry on work place/ home office ergonomics that has VERY LITTLE sound evidence. 

All the published research to date has shown that there is no relationship between any postural factors causing back pain. This includes the shape and curves of the back, asymmetries and how we use our backs.

Yes, if you already suffer from back pain, you may feel it more while sitting, especially for long periods. But not sitting up straight is not the cause of the back pain.