Is there such a thing as the perfect posture?

Is there any other word as effective as “posture” at getting people to sit upright in their seats? The mere mention carries a regal undertone, as if standing to attention in the presence of royalty. Is this good posture at work? Possibly, although the term “Good posture” has been subject to much debate. Posture is defined as “the position in which someone holds their body while sitting or standing”. Good posture, it could be argued, is the definition above with four specific words added to the end sentence; “without pain or discomfort”. Posture is as personal to you as your fingerprint, however that being said, human physiology allows for all shapes and sizes. There are many terms used to describe certain types of posture, we’ll discuss some of the more familiar shapes you’re likely to see in yourselves or other people. Kyphosis Kyphosis is sometimes known as a “hunchback” and is characterised by a forward translation of the head with a curved upper back. Everyone of us has some degree of arch in our spine, anything further than a forty-five degree curve is considered excessive. Potential causes here include excessive sitting, use of a mobile phone or laptop, ageing, muscle weakness in the upper back and muscle tightness in the upper chest. Long term issues include severe neck pain, headaches, migraines and TMJ jaw disorder as well as reduced VO2 Max, upper body stability and strength. Lordosis A familiar site to any fans of high heels, Lordosis is an excessive curve of the lumbar spine, characterised by a forward (anterior) tilt of the pelvis. Physiologically this puts adverse load onto the lower back, causing discomfort leading to a higher likelihood of overuse injuries around the lower back. Potential causes include uneven leg length, tight glutes, adductors and quadriceps, as well as several serious spinal conditions such as Spondylolisthesis. Think about that next time you opt for a huge heel for work. Scoliosis Scoliosis is an S-shaped lateral curvature of the spine. Most cases of scoliosis are mild however some can be highly debilitating and result in surgery. Symptoms begin to present themselves during the growth spurt just before puberty. The causes are numerous and if left untreated can lead to heart and lung issues, severe back problems and a deformed appearance surrounding the bones of the torso. So, if any of the above hasn’t made you paranoid about your spine (if you haven’t gotten up at least twice while reading this to check your own posture you’re doing well) lets take a closer look at the causes of postural issues. Overwhelmingly, and possibly unsurprisingly, the biggest cause of mild postural discomfort is our daily habits. How long we sit or stand for, how we sit and stand and how we manage our recovery are all vital in the maintenance of pain free posture. Those of you who sit at desks for longer than two hours at a time, getting up every hour on the hour and standing for five minutes should be a welcome break from work but a valuable respite for your body. Stretch your legs, it’ll do you the world of good. Even your Apple Watch will remind you to do this if you activate it. If you recognise any of the above about your appearance or posture the first step is to have your body assessed by a trained professional. Is there such a thing as bad posture? Well yes and no, essentially if you are pain free there is no such thing as bad posture. If you are in pain however it’s best to take steps and have an individualised plan put in place. Just as “we are what we eat”, we are the lives we live when it comes to our posture. We are the total sum of the stimuli and forces we apply to our frame, don’t let yours slip out of your control.