Why does slumping at your desk contribute to lower back pain?
We all know that we should maintain good posture when sitting rather than slumping (poor posture) to avoid lower back pain, but why?
The human spine is an upright bendy column and in someone with good posture it’s an S shape. With perfect posture a straight line can be drawn through the ear, the tip of the shoulder, the front of the knee joint and the back of the ankle.
The spine is made of 24 vertebrae or segments. If we look at the S shape it consist of the cervical lordosis which is the arch in the neck, this is followed by the thoracic kyphosis which is an arch in the chest in the opposite direction, this is then followed by the lumbar arch or lumbar lordosis which is the hollow in the lower back.
Perfect lumbar lordosis (or perfect arch in your lower back) helps
- Ensure the correct distribution of your body weight
- Allows your lower back to bow forwards slightly when walking to absorb the impact during walking
The lumbar lordosis lessens when we are sitting as our pelvises tip backwards on to the sitting bones and increases when we stand. This explains why some people with lower back pain feel worse when sitting and better when standing. Furthermore sitting for long periods of time in a slumped “C” shaped posture, changes our weight distribution through our spine, compressing the lumbar vertebra which often leads to lower back pain.
So what is good sitting posture?
When seated, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose a chair that allows you to rest both feet flat on the floor while keeping your knees level with your hips. If necessary, prop up your feet with a footstool or other support.
- Sit back in your chair. If the chair doesn’t support your lower back’s curve, place a rolled towel or small pillow behind your lower back.
- Stretch the top of your head toward the ceiling, and tuck your chin in slightly.
- Keep your upper back and neck comfortably straight.
- Keep your shoulders relaxed — not elevated, rounded or pulled backward.
Remember
Although good posture should be natural, you might feel wooden or stiff at first if you are used to slumping rather than sitting up straight. The key is to practice good posture all the time, and be extra vigilant when you are really concentrating, getting tired or its late in the day. You can make improvements at any age. Stretching and core strengthening exercises can help, too.
And if you have got lower back pain, why not try massage.
Related Posts
What are postural muscles?
Postural muscles are also referred to as core stability muscles, are found deep in the body. The first muscles that typically come to mind with posture are the muscles along the spine. The erector spinae muscles run along the bones of your spine, the vertebrae, from your neck all the way to your tailbone. These muscles hold the spine in extension or upright, counteracting the pull of gravity. Abdominal muscles support the structures at the front of your trunk, balancing the pull of your back extensors. The quadratus luborum muscles at the top of your pelvis help stabilize the pelvis and spine in the lower back in an upright position. The purpose of postural muscles is to keep good posture in the field of gravity. These muscles consist mostly of slow-twitch muscle fibres and have a greater capacity for prolonged use but are prone to over working. This means if you have poor posture or you have long periods of sitting immobile your postural muscles get tired and they become weak and less efficient. The longer the situation continues the more likely you are to develop postural imbalances and they finally you get knots and pain!
What is Acupressure Massage?
What is Acupressure? Acupressure has its roots in traditional Chinese and Japanese cultures through Shiatsu and Anma. How does Acupressure Work? Acupressure points are places on the body that are especially sensitive to bioelectrical impulses and conduct these impulses readily. In Chinese medicine terms acupressure points are junctions on the meridians that carry human energy, which the Chinese call Chi and the Japanese call Ki. Western scientists have also mapped out and proven the existing of this system of acupressure points by using sensitive electrical devices. Stimulating these acupressure points with pressure, acupressure massage triggers the release of endorphins which are the neurochemicals that relieve pain. Tension tends to concentrate around the acupressure points. When a muscle is chronically tense or in spams, the muscle fibres contract due to the secretion of lactic acid caused by fatigue, trauma, stress, chemical imbalances or poor circulation. When acupressure points are pressed, the muscle tension yields to the pressure, enabling the muscle fibres to elongate and relax. Seated Acupressure Massage incorporates the pressing of a number of acupressure points, depending upon the length of treatment up to 100 points may be stimulated. Below are the some of the points that may be incorporated into a Seated Acupressure Massage for someone who is experience neck pain or stiffness:
What is the difference between Acupressure and Acupuncture? With acupressure the acupressure points are stimulated with pressure, with acupuncture the same acupressure points are stimulated with needles. What is the difference between Acupressure and Seated Acupressure Massage? Seated Acupressure Massage is very modern; it was created in 1984 by David Palmer who used traditional Acupressure techniques to give 15 minute treatments on the neck & shoulders of clothed employees at Apple Computers in the USA to relieve neck & shoulder pain. You can think of Seated Acupressure Massage as utilising the ancient wisdom and healing art of acupressure to address the modern office woes of stiffness due to muscular tension and pain in the upper back, neck and shoulders.
GV16 Wind Mansion – which aids the release of headaches, stiff necks and neck pain. GB20 Gates of Consciousness – which aid the release of neck pain and headaches. TW16 Window of heaven – aids the release of stiff necks, shoulder & neck pain and headaches. B10 Heavenly Pillar – which helps relieves stress and stiff necks. GB21 Shoulder Well – which as the name suggests helps relieve tension and pain in the shoulders.
