‘If you slouch, you’ll end up with scoliosis,’ our parents and teachers told us as kids. It turns out the idea that slouching causes back problems is a myth. The common medical advice to keep ‘perfect’ posture to prevent those problems is a myth, too.
Physical therapist Chris McCarthy, a spinal health consultant and researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University, says there’s no single ‘correct’ position for the back. McCarthy told us to forget everything we were taught about ‘ideal’ posture and called the old fears around slouching ‘just nonsense.’
In short, poor posture won’t necessarily cause back pain, and good posture won’t guarantee you’ll avoid it.
How the Expert Justified His View
In an article for The Conversation, McCarthy wrote that a key reason slouching doesn’t damage the spine is that the spine is built to handle a wide range of movements, from Olympic weightlifting to aerial dancing.
He called slouching ‘not that bad’ and said a slouched position is as fine as any other.
But he added that staying in any one position for too long can be harmful.
‘You’ll get muscle fatigue in any position, and that can cause discomfort — it’s a signal that you should change posture,’ he explained.
Our Bodies Are Made for Changing Positions
McCarthy said we’re designed to keep moving.
He suggested following the ’20:20:20′ rule: every 20 minutes, take your eyes off the screen, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and change your position, the Daily Mail reported.
This routine helps more than just your spine. Moving every 20 minutes can boost mood, help eye health and concentration, and keep the spine’s muscles toned.
McCarthy noted that most modern guidance emphasizes regular movement, breaks, light stretching, and staying active throughout the day.
‘Long periods of static standing are no more comfortable than prolonged static sitting. Switching between sitting and standing throughout the day is the best way to reduce back discomfort,’ he said.
