Why Posture Still Matters
In recent years, within the field of physio, there have been moves away from worrying about ‘posture’, with some experts claiming that ‘poor’ posture doesn’t cause pain. But if we spend most of our day in the same slouched position, with little movement, how can that not affect our bodies? While teenagers may get away with it, adults often feel the strain. Have we dismissed posture too quickly?
Screens and Stiffness: A Modern Epidemic
Our screen time has skyrocketed, and so have neck and shoulder issues – especially since the pandemic. Certainly here at goPhysio, we are seeing so many people with neck and shoulder problems every week. Yet, many professionals now hesitate to connect posture with pain. If we ignore the impact of hours spent hunched over devices, are we ignoring the obvious and risking short term pain and longer term damage?
Our Bodies Weren’t Built for This
Humans evolved to move, but now we spend most of our time sitting. On average, we use smartphones for 3 – 4 hours a day – on top of work screens and commuting. We can shop online, order food in an instant and watch box set after box set on comfy sofa’s. This forces our bodies into sustained positions for long periods, with the risk of creating stiffness and pain. Just from not moving much throughout the day.
Your Body Can Only Compensate for So Long
Our muscles and joints constantly adjust to keep us moving, but they have limits. When we sit slouched, or stay in any position for long periods of time without moving about much, our bodies can start to complain. Over time, this can result in issues such as headaches, tightness, muscle imbalances and even nerve pain.
The Long-Term Cost of Posture
Staying in poor positions too long risks longer term changes our body’s structure. This might be tight chest muscles pulling the shoulders forwards, upper back stiffness and reduced flexibility and additional pressure put on areas like the neck and shoulders.
These changes don’t happen overnight, but years of bad posture set the stage for chronic pain and movement issues as we age. Like stacking firewood for years before lighting a match, the damage builds up before symptoms appear.
Fixing Posture Takes Daily Action
There’s no such thing as a perfect posture, but there is a sustainable one. The common advice—”your best posture is your next posture”—only works if you actually move. But many people don’t change positions enough, leading to ongoing problems.
The solution? Small, daily habits that counteract our sedentary lifestyle.
Making Better Habits
To help reduce the risk of bad habits creeping in, we need simple routines:
- Use a reminder cue e.g. do a stretch every time you check your phone
- Do quick, effective exercises like opening up the chest and strengthening the back or chest rotations
- Feel the reward, recognise the relief you feel from stiffness and better movement
Many exercises fail because they’re too complicated or don’t provide instant relief. The key is consistency with easy, rewarding movements.
A Growing Crisis: What’s at Stake?
From kids glued to screens to adults developing early hunchbacks, poor posture is becoming a major health issue. If left unchecked, it may lead to long-term pain, stiffness, and even falls in older age.
As physiotherapists, our job isn’t just to relieve pain but to help people stay active and mobile for life. Good posture today means a stronger, healthier future.
Your Daily Choices Shape Your Future
As Atomic Habits author James Clear says, every small action is a vote for the person you want to become. Are you voting for a pain-free, mobile future – or for stiffness and discomfort?
Ignoring posture won’t make the problem go away. The best time to start correcting it is now!
