We’ve all heard our moms say “Sit up straight” when we were kids, right? So many people today work in sedentary jobs that require them to sit for most of the work day. When sitting, whether at work or at home, good posture is important for spinal health. One of the number one contributors to back pain is poor postural habits.
Take a look at how you are sitting right now. Are your feet flat on the floor with your knees at a 90 degree angle? Are your buttocks, back and shoulders up against the back rest of your chair? Does your chair provide lumbar support, and does the back rest fit the natural curve of your spine? Are your shoulders relaxed and even, not hunched over in a forward position? Is your body weight equally distributed across both hips? Are your knees level with or slightly higher than your hips?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your are probably exerting undue stress on your spine. This will eventually cause back pain! Make the changes to your work station to alleviate this pressure.
Remember that it is not a good idea to sit in the same position for more than 40 minutes. Chronic slouching can affect the discs between the vertebrae, triggering pain and limiting range of motion. Take the time to stand up and stretch your back and legs, take a short walk every now and then, or consider a stand up desk so you can switch throughout the day.
As we get older we realize everything our mom told us was right. Listen to mom, and Sit Up Straight!