It seems that sitting up straight, something many of us are taught from a very early age, is not good for your back, say researchers from Scotland and Canada. They found that sitting up straight strains your back unnecessarily. Ideally, you should lean slightly back, at an angle of about 135 degrees, they say.
Leaning back into the backrest of your chair increases the pressure on the three areas of your spine but is particularly bad for your lumbar spine and neck. If you sit with your weight too far forward, you will either lean forward (using your muscles to hold you there) or, more commonly, lean on your desk.
How exactly is 'slouching' better than an upright posture? A further study conducted by the University Hospital of North Tees found that slouching can reduce back stiffness by enabling more fluid to pass between our spinal disks. A study by the RNSA also found slouching to be better for us.
When you sit or stand with correct posture, it naturally puts less stress on your musculoskeletal system. Standing or sitting in a neutral position rather than hunching means that you don't strain your hips, shoulders, neck, back or torso. As a result, you put less pressure on your bones, joints and ligaments.
Something you can do while at your desk is to maintain a straight back, yet comfortable position. A chin up, shoulders back, stomach in posture while walking not only makes you look fitter but makes your tummy look flatter.” While at your workseat, stretch your back and pull in the stomach.
Even if your posture has been a problem for years, it's possible to make improvements. Rounded shoulders and a hunched stance may seem like they're set in stone by the time we reach a certain age, and you may feel you've missed the boat for better posture. But there's a good chance you can still stand up taller.
Sitting and standing with proper alignment improves blood flow, helps keep your nerves and blood vessels healthy, and supports your muscles, ligaments, and tendons. People who make a habit of using correct posture are less likely to experience related back and neck pain.
Leaning back while sitting takes pressure off the spine
Sitting in a supported semi-reclined position — 45° backward from back-straight 90° posture — places less strain on the spine, says Waseem Amir Bashir, MBChB, FRCR, a fellow of the University of Alberta (Canada) Hospital radiology department (See Figure below).
A good way to prevent belly fat and big hips is to have a proper upright standing posture. The basic way to have a correct standing posture is to make sure that your chin is level with the floor, your shoulders should be back, and your stomach should be in.
Summary. Sitting up straight in your chair requires the conscious alignment of your hips, pelvis, lower back, upper back, shoulder, neck, and head. Doing so can reduce lower back pain, improve respiration and digestion, and reduce tension in your neck and shoulders, particularly if you sit at your desk for hours on end ...
Posture 101: what good posture looks like
"Your shoulders are down and back, hips and knees are in a neutral position with feet shoulder width apart, and your body weight is distributed evenly." Deon suggests visualizing an invisible string that extends from your tailbone up your spine and out the top of your head.
Why does it hurt my back when I sit up straight? Our spine is not meant to be straight, it is actually meant to be a series of natural curves. Sitting up straight may have been Grandma's advice, but trying to sit up straight places more stress on the spine than previously.
It's a common misconception when solving postural issues in the spine that going through a correction process will be painful. In reality, when done properly, this couldn't be further from the truth.
“But making a habit of good posture may take some time,” says Dr. Bang. As with any other exercise routine, it takes about four to six weeks to see real change.
Sit up straight in your chair and pull in your abs, while engaging your other core muscles. Rotate at the waist to one side, while maintaining a proper upright position. Keep your legs and hips straight, and only twist from your abdomen. Hold for a few seconds and then repeat on the other side.
When you sit up straight, you are going to minimally workout muscles in the upper body, shoulders and the back. This, in a way, helps strengthen the core and promotes calorie burning, since you exert pressure in maintaining a straight back.
Cardio such as swimming, aerobics, running or dancing will burn this excess fat store. HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) is the fastest way to trim down stomach fat.