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In the United States, the message is clear: sitting up straight is good, and slouching is bad.
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But Beth Linker, author of “Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America”, says it’s more complicated than that.
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In her new book, she unpacks the history of Americans’ obsession with “good” posture and questions its scientific merit.
It seems, you can probably remember the last time you were told to sit up straight. It may have come from a parent, teacher, or fitness instructor. Or maybe it was suggested by an ad for posture correcting devices like special sports bras or wearable sensors.
The message that slouching is bad is everywhere in our society. In fact, it’s woven into the fabric of American history, as Beth Linker, a science historian and former physical therapist, shows in her new book “Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America.”.“
“Slouch” takes readers on a journey through that history, revealing the role culture has played in shaping our collective obsession with sitting up straight—not to mention a $1.25 billion global industry built on posture-enhancing products and exercise programs, Linker reported.
That’s not to say that there aren’t any benefits to practicing good posture. Experts previously told Business Insider that poor posture can cause neck and back pain, wear and tear on joints and discs, decreased flexibility, and other health issues.
In his book, Linker makes no claims about how debilitating bad posture can be. But she raises questions about the scientific merit of these claims. From her point of view, practicing good posture is probably not as important as we’ve been taught to believe.
“I don’t walk around with a drill sergeant in my head,” she said. “I don’t think it’s going to help the pain I’m going through or the pain I’m going to have in the future, because it’s much more complicated than that.”
The postural panic
Americans’ fixation with posture dates back to the early 1900s. Harvard University published the first study of the “epidemic of bad posture,” as Linker calls it, in 1917.
The study found that 80% of students had bad posture and those who were cited the most showed “a greater variety and a higher percentage of sickness,” than those who walked less slip, the Harvard Crimson reported.
But the earliest ideas about posture go back even further. “Since the time of Plato, naturalists, theologians and philosophers in the West have commented on the uniqueness of human posture and bipedalism,” she wrote.
These thinkers saw justice as a vital aspect of human nature that sets humans apart from animals. Later, 20th century medicine labeled poor posture as a disease. And culturally, the heroes became stuck with racist, classist and ableist ideologies, Linker argued in his book.
Meanwhile, the science that suggests posture plays a role in our health – a key argument used to support its importance – is lacking.
Lack of evidence
Despite the general assumption that bad posture leads to bad back, there is only limited science to back this up.
“There have been a few studies that indicate that there is no strong scientific evidence to show that someone who has more back pain is more likely to have back pain,” Linker told BI. For example, research has shown that there is little evidence to support that retardation in adolescents is associated with back pain, or predicts future back pain.
While it’s easy to blame bad posture for back pain and other spinal health issues, Linker said it’s actually more complicated.
“Having trained as a physical therapist, it doesn’t really add up,” she said. There are many things that affect the health of a person’s spine, such as diseases like arthritis, amount of exercise, aging, and even psychological conditions like depression and anxiety, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Plus, walking around with a “drill sergeant” in your head always reminding you to sit or stand up straight can cause more problems than it solves, said Linker, putting in general, keeping in the same position for too long, even if your spine. correctly aligned as possible, resulting in pain.
Therefore, it is not necessary to “fix” your posture to cure your back pain. When looking for the right solution, talking to a doctor, physical therapist, or bodybuilding professional is a great place to start, Linker said. They can help you identify the cause of your pain, and work towards a healthier spine.
She also recommends incorporating movement into your daily routine, especially if you work a desk job. And when it comes to posture-correcting products, be skeptical of their promises, she said. Some can be expensive, and may not address your specific needs, she said.
Read the original article on Business Insider
