Ask the Expert - Ice and injuries
In this issue’s Physiotherapy Corner local experts at Boathouse Physiotherapy focus on the topic of Posture.
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Is there such a thing as 'bad' posture?
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If someone comes in to see me because of back pain, one of the things I commonly hear them say is “I know my posture is bad / terrible / Quasimodo-esque”. Ok, I made the last bit about Quasimodo up, but posture is often front and centre of that person’s mind. This begs the question of why? Is posture important? Should we stand to attention 24/7 and avoid the dreaded slumping like the plague?
Is posture important?
As with every complex question there is no straight answer; the best I can offer is yes…but, also no. Posture depends on what you’re doing. For example, a large arch in the back (known as a lordosis) has been associated with pain emanating from the joints of the spine. So a large arch must be bad, right? Wrong. A large arch in the back is a great thing if we are lifting a heavy load. In fact arching the back is a pre-requisite for heavy lifting! But…if you spend every day locked in that one position it’s probably going ache.
I’m sure we’ve all been told to “sit up! Don’t slouch!” which has led to the demonization of slumping. If someone comes to see me with sciatic pain, nerve pain down the back of the leg, that is caused by a joint trapping a nerve I will compel them to slump…”slumping is now your friend, it is no longer the posture goblin you thought it was” and, over time, their symptoms will reduce.
What does the science say?
There have a been an array of studies examining the relationship between pain and posture. They all use differing methods and all conclude that there is a weak relationship between posture and pain. There is also a weak relationship between the angle of the curve of the lower back and pain.
The one thing that is clear from all the research is that it is a lack of movement, a lack of variety in our posture that can lead to pain.
What does this tell us about posture?
This all tells us that there is no one right or wrong posture, and that posture is determined by a broad array of factors. If someone is tired, or they’re feeling low or just worried about their back pain their posture will reflect this, mostly…
In summary…
Does poor posture cause back pain? No, but staying on one position for too long will. So it is not necessarily the posture that is the problem, it is staying in one position for too long that will cause problems. So remember to stay active and keep moving.
If you have any questions about pain that you may think is related to posture, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Boathouse Physiotherapy.
The Boathouse Surgery, Whitchurch Road
Pangbourne, RG8 7DP T. 01189767189
Is posture important?
As with every complex question there is no straight answer; the best I can offer is yes…but, also no. Posture depends on what you’re doing. For example, a large arch in the back (known as a lordosis) has been associated with pain emanating from the joints of the spine. So a large arch must be bad, right? Wrong. A large arch in the back is a great thing if we are lifting a heavy load. In fact arching the back is a pre-requisite for heavy lifting! But…if you spend every day locked in that one position it’s probably going ache.
I’m sure we’ve all been told to “sit up! Don’t slouch!” which has led to the demonization of slumping. If someone comes to see me with sciatic pain, nerve pain down the back of the leg, that is caused by a joint trapping a nerve I will compel them to slump…”slumping is now your friend, it is no longer the posture goblin you thought it was” and, over time, their symptoms will reduce.
What does the science say?
There have a been an array of studies examining the relationship between pain and posture. They all use differing methods and all conclude that there is a weak relationship between posture and pain. There is also a weak relationship between the angle of the curve of the lower back and pain.
The one thing that is clear from all the research is that it is a lack of movement, a lack of variety in our posture that can lead to pain.
What does this tell us about posture?
This all tells us that there is no one right or wrong posture, and that posture is determined by a broad array of factors. If someone is tired, or they’re feeling low or just worried about their back pain their posture will reflect this, mostly…
In summary…
Does poor posture cause back pain? No, but staying on one position for too long will. So it is not necessarily the posture that is the problem, it is staying in one position for too long that will cause problems. So remember to stay active and keep moving.
If you have any questions about pain that you may think is related to posture, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Boathouse Physiotherapy.
The Boathouse Surgery, Whitchurch Road
Pangbourne, RG8 7DP T. 01189767189