For years we’ve been told that hunching over at our desk will doom us to a lifetime of back pain.
But now a leading spine specialist has shattered age-old logic by saying fear of slouching is just nonsense.
Yet the myths about posture don’t stop there.
Experts also argue that we should forget everything we have learned about “correct sitting” because such a position does not exist.
Fundamentally, this means that ‘bad’ posture won’t give you back pain, and ‘good’ posture won’t prevent it either.
Working from home on laptops, sitting at the kitchen table all day or working from the couch is not good for your back. Experts urge people to get up and change positions during the day
Despite this crucial fact, sitting upright is still considered the holy grail, just as slouching is frowned upon.
It is supported by posters scattered around offices, telling employees to keep their backs straight and sit with their butts against the bottom of the chair.
Other guidelines also tell employees to keep their computer screen at arm’s length and at eye level.
Some companies are even promoting standing desks to their staff, believing the trendy gadgets will ease back discomfort from spending ten hours slumped in a chair.
The NHS guidance itself emphasizes the importance of maintaining good posture and says ‘don’t faint’.
Yet there is no universally accepted definition of perfect posture.
A 2012 study of 295 physiotherapists in four different European countries asked them to choose from nine photos what they thought was the ideal sitting position, ranging from slumped to upright.
Two positions were overwhelmingly chosen by the majority of physios.
But fascinatingly, they were very different. One sat with a more upright upper back, while the other had a more arched lower back.
So, what is it about slouching that angers experts?
Dr. Chris McCarthy, a backbone of Harley Street consultant and researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University yesterday dismissed fears about the demonised, slumped attitude.
He wrote for The Conversation: “There’s a pretty good reason why slouching doesn’t damage our spines.
‘That’s because our spine is designed to enable movements ranging from Olympic weightlifting to limbo dancing.
“If you’re a lanky person, rest assured that this isn’t really bad for you and is just as good as any other position you adopt.”
In fact, any position held long enough can be bad for us, Dr. McCarthy said.
‘You’re going to get muscle fatigue in any position,’ he told MailOnline. ‘And that can cause some discomfort, as a signal that you need to move.’
Sammy Margo, a licensed physiotherapist in London, makes it clear: ‘We’re not saying slouching is bad.
‘Any position for longer periods is bad.
‘It’s about not staying in a certain position and trying to integrate activity into your daily life.’
There’s also no evidence that people who slouch are more likely to have back or neck pain than people who don’t, according to leading spine specialist Dr. Chris McCarthy.
Following on from this point, Dr. McCarthy adds, “Varying our movements is what we were designed to do.”
He suggests following the “20:20:20 rule,” which involves taking your eyes off the computer screen every 20 minutes, looking 20 yards away for 20 seconds and moving your body in a different drink.
It is not only beneficial for your spine. Exercising every 20 minutes is also good for your mood, eye health, concentration and your spinal muscles, says Dr. McCarthy.
“Most reviews of VDU equipment now emphasize regular movement, breaks and gentle stretches and exercises throughout the day,” he said.
‘Standing statically for long periods of time is no more comfortable than sitting statically for long periods of time.
“Going from sitting to standing and back again throughout the day is definitely a better strategy for reducing spinal discomfort.”