Forget perfect posture: Why sitting still is actually ruining your spine

Many of us spend our workdays glued to a desk, desperately trying to sit up straight to avoid back pain.

However, Mumbai-based orthopaedic surgeon Dr Manan Vora suggests we might be overthinking it. In a recent update on Wednesday, he challenged the idea of a single "correct" way to sit.

“Which sitting posture is correct? Number one, sitting straight or number two, sitting slightly slouched? If you chose number one, you're wrong.

"If you chose number two, you're also wrong because there is no single posture that protects your spine,” he explains.

The issue isn't necessarily the angle of your back, but the lack of movement. Sitting naturally places more pressure on the lower spine than standing.

While slouching increases disc stress, forcing yourself to sit perfectly upright can be just as tiring for your core muscles.

Dr Vora notes, “Research shows that forcing yourself to sit upright for long periods can actually increase spinal compression because your core muscles stay constantly tense.”

Ultimately, the best approach is to stop staying still. Your spine consists of 24 movable vertebrae designed for action.

“Your spine is not a pillar. It's a dynamic structure made of 24 movable vertebrae, elastic discs, ligaments, and muscles.

It is biologically designed for movement, not stiffness,” Vora says. His final advice is simple: stop trying to be frozen in one position.

“The healthiest posture is the one you change regularly. Your spine is built to move, not to be frozen in one position.”

Important note: This article serves solely for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. It relies on user-provided content from social media.