"Don’t slouch!"
Unfortunately, your mother was right on track. Poor posture is the source of many cases of neck and back pain. Although the spine is very mobile, it has an "ideal position" in which it operates most efficiently and most comfortably. This proper position can be defined as being comfortably straight. Your ears, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles should all be in a straight line when standing. When sitting, proper posture involves a nice curve in your low back (called lumbar lordosis). Your head should not be protruding forward, but should be held tall above your shoulders. Too often we sit with our head forward and our shoulders rounded.

"But it hurts to sit up straight!"
Posture, just like any other physical demand on the body, takes some getting used to. When you first try to change your posture you might find that it is more uncomfortable to sit properly. Over time, your muscles will get used to this new activity and you will find that sitting up straight is easier than you thought. You might even be pleasantly surprised to find that your back and neck feel more comfortable and less tense!

Do you have more questions on how posture can affect the health of your spine? Talk to one of PT Northwest’s knowledgeable physical or occupational therapists.