It may seem hard to believe at first, but scientific evidence has suggested that the link between poor posture and back pain is weak.
The reality is the discomfort and pain that we can experience from poor posture are not related to tissue damage. It is, however, related to our lack of movement as we are made to move. Oftentimes, we are positioned at our desks most of the day. The muscle tightness experienced from this prolonged sitting together with psycho/social stressors such as lack of sleep, lack of social support, anxiety, and fear of movement will result in back pain.
Ultimately the fact is we have been misled to believe that our poor posture, scoliosis, or disc bulge of some kind are the cause of our pain. Our spine is an inherently stable structure that is made to move in many directions and is designed to be resilient.
The “good” posture can give our muscles a rest and allow us to spend more time in other postures. We should not fear bending at the spine to pick up a pencil off the ground and should not feel forced to maintain a “good posture” all day. The best posture is the next posture, and it is through that motion that our joints, muscles, and tissues thrive. It is movement and sometimes even more important psycho/social strategies that we at MAYA Rehab Pilates use to help you recover and empower you to take your life back from the pain.
If you are experiencing back pain, schedule a free assessment with our Clinical Pilates Instructor. We will examine more than the posture, change your movement patterns, and give you the tools to return to your life pain-free. Remember, your best posture is your next one.
Keep moving!