Healthy living
Body matters
Are you sitting comfortably?
A new study of posture and back pain has come up with surprising results
Slouching at your desk has always been blamed for chronic back pain, but now new research has revealed that the worst posture is actually sitting up straight.
Researchers at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland used a new form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to demonstrate that the best way to sit is reclining slightly backwards.
Their results, presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, showed that sitting upright, in a 90 degree posture, places an unnecessary strain on the back, leading to chronic pain problems for those people who spend prolonged periods sitting down.
"Sitting in a sound anatomic position is essential since the strain put on the spine and its associated ligaments over time can lead to pain, deformity and chronic illness," said study author Dr Waseem Amir Bashir.
The researchers used a positional MRI scanner that allowed the patients freedom of movement when being studied. This was important because normally the person being scanned must lie flat, which is thought to mask the causes of pain that stem from different movements and positions.
The study examined 22 healthy volunteers, with no history of back pain. Three different positions were looked at: slouching forwards, upright and reclining at 135 degrees with the feet on the floor.
By examining the spinal disc movement the researchers could discover which position placed the least strain on the spine. The leaning back position came out top, while the upright position caused the greatest stress. The slouching posture was found to exacerbate lower back pain.
A survey carried out by the British Chiropractic Association in 2004 showed that up to 80 percent of the adult population will suffer significant back pain at some time in their life. Nearly five million working days were lost through bad backs in 2003/04.
Maintaining a healthy back</h1><li>Keep active - if you do spend long periods seated make sure you take frequent breaks to move around. There is a list of exercises you can do at your desk at www.backcare.org.uk- Try to maintain good posture
- Take care with lifting and carrying - if you do have to lift something, bend your knees not your back. Keep your feet wide apart
- Strengthen your back muscles with a regular fitness regime
- Give up smoking - Smoking affects the blood supply to your back, reducing the nutrients getting to your muscles
- Maintain a healthy weight for your height.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.