Poor posture is widespread. Whether we’re scrolling through our phones or spending hours at our laptops, we live in a culture where we’re constantly looking down.
According to Matthew Piff, regional physiotherapy lead at Nuffield Health, “NHS figures show that back pain is the biggest cause of disability in the UK, with back pain alone accounting for 11% of all disability in the UK population.” James Davies, an osteopath and performance coach who works one-on-one with elite athletes and film and TV stars, sees this trend everywhere he goes – with his clients, on the streets and in their homes.
Slouching doesn’t just make you look shorter or less stable. Poor posture builds up bad habits not just on the surface, but inside your body, which is a serious problem, says Davis. “Poor posture is now a silent killer. If you’re hunched and looking down, you can’t breathe properly. You can’t use your lungs to their full potential.”
Over time, not only can this cause degeneration in the spine, but people can also develop bad habits that use secondary muscles: “Instead of fully using the diaphragm, which is the muscle that helps us inhale and maximize our breath, people tense their shoulders when they breathe.”
Conversely, restricting your inhale can affect your gut health: slouching puts pressure on your abdomen, which can lead to stomach acid flowing in the wrong direction.
“Many of my patients who have poor posture also suffer from frequent acid reflux and often have other intestinal issues.”
Not sure what good posture actually means? It’s about feeling light, says Davis. “When you get a massage, you feel lighter and more free, right? That’s what we’re aiming for.”
Here are five posture pit stops to try.
