Good posture promotes the functionality of the back and the whole body. A good upright posture allows the load to be distributed more evenly between the structures of the back and different parts of the body. Despite this, there is no single optimal posture that suits everyone or that everyone should strive for. Good posture is thought to reduce the load on the body’s structures and thus reduce the risk of musculoskeletal pain and other problems. Correspondingly, incorrect posture and body asymmetries have often been blamed for Tules pains.
However, the connection between posture and pain in the musculoskeletal system is not as clear as perhaps commonly thought. Several studies have shown that, for example, patients with shoulder, neck and lower back pain and there is no difference in the postures of people without pain. For example, pronounced or extended slouching is often blamed for back pain, but studies have not found a clear difference between the occurrence of back pain and different levels of slouching.
The structure of each back is unique. What might seem like good posture for one may not be for another. Maintaining an unnatural position requires static, continuous muscle work, which tires the muscles. As a result of muscle fatigue, the posture worsens even more, because the body cannot maintain it by force. Because of this, it is not appropriate to try to force different bodies into a certain same posture.
In terms of the health of the back and the rest of the musculoskeletal system, it is more important to pay attention to versatile exercise of muscle condition and mobility, as well as regular changes in posture. When the muscle condition is good and evenly exercised, and there are no strong muscle tensions, maintaining a good posture is not required special efforts.
Aging affects posture
With aging, the mobility of the joints and muscle strength decreases, which usually also causes the so-called collapses. Usually, the upper back slouches and stiffens. Regular muscle fitness and mobility training promotes the maintenance of the functional ability of the back and reduces the occurrence of movement restrictions even with age.
Finally
A posture far different from the so-called neutral vertical position increases the bio-mechanical load on the spine. Still, one optimal posture cannot be determined, and there does not seem to be a difference between the postures of people with and without pain. In addition, the variation between individuals is large.