“Sit up straight! You don’t want to end up like the Hunchback of Notre Dame” - a common phrase usually yelled out at children when they start slouching at the dinner table or school desk.
But, in all seriousness, does sitting up straight help maintain a good posture and take care of our backs?
Verdict:
FALSE
Our parents or elders may insist that sitting up straight with your thighs parallel to the ground is the best way to sit, but there have been studies that found the position to cause increased stress on the lumbar disks in our lower back.
In 2006, a team of researchers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland looked at 22 volunteers who sat in three positions:
• Slouching: Hunched forward, with feet touching the floor.
• Upright: At 90 degrees, with feet touching the floor.
• Relaxed: Reclined backwards at 135 degrees, with feet touching the floor.
The first two positions, sitting upright and sitting with the body hunched forward, produced the greatest spinal disk movement, causing the internal disk material to misalign. The third position, however, created the least strain.
It would do us good to mind our posture and make efforts to take care of our back. It is also important to remember that there is no one-size-fits all when it comes to what is a good posture.
Avoid maintaining a rigid, overly tense or uncomfortable posture for extended periods as that can lead to discomfort and potentially harm the spine.
Check out these simple exercises that you can do to help fix bad posture: https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/2021/07/13/easy-exercises-to-fix-your-bad-posture
If you have specific concerns about your posture and its effects on your spine, please consult a healthcare professional or a qualified specialist.
References:
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/12/health/12real.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/57654#1
https://www.healthline.com/health/sitting-positions#basic-positioning
