The Truth About Posture

Today we’ll talk about Posture.

Sounds invigorating, I know.

Yet I want to dive into it today so you have a better understanding of it beyond:

“Your posture is bad and it needs to be better.”

First of all, I want to say that posture gets a bad rap.

It gets blamed for far too much of our ailments.

When in actual fact the problem is doing something for 8+ hours a day.

People will say “I have bad posture, that’s why I am in pain”...

When the reason for the pain is you’re sitting in a position for far too long & with minimal movement.

So, of course you’re going to be sore when you get up to move or do anything apart from sitting.

Your posture isn’t causing it, it’s the lack of movement.

Secondly, there is no such thing as perfect posture.

I know we’ve all seen the diagrams:

Shoulders back, big chest, feet forward, but seriously who stands like that?

Try it, you won’t last long.

This is because we aren’t meant to stand up straight all day, we are meant to move.

No matter what, we will never shift and fidget to get ourselves comfortable.

Also, that “perfect posture” diagram completely negates life experiences.

Your limbs are longer or shorter than mine, I grew up playing rugby, you grew up dancing, whereas someone else was a sprinter.

All of these things are going to have an effect on our posture.

Does that mean being athletic and active is wrong? No, of course not.

So it just goes to show us, like with all things related to wellness, that there isn’t a one size fits all answer to posture.

One of the best rugby players I have ever played with has what a textbook would deem as “non-optimal posture” but does that hinder him at all?

He’s been captain of the Canadian national team, so I’d say no.

In fact I’d argue that his posture is perfect FOR HIM.

That’s what a lot of these all or nothing statements miss in the wellness industry, NUANCE.

If you don’t have a textbook posture doesn’t mean anything.

Your posture is something that develops with you, it’s yours and for the most part it works with you.

Stop seeing your posture as this thing that can’t be helped due to your desk set up or your job – just get up and move more.

That’s really all there is to it.

Break up those long days, stand when you can, take a call on a walk, do a quick workout to break up the day.

But realize one thing, that the best posture you can have is likely the next one, so move.

So I hope you’re feeling better about your posture now and realize you’re not helpless.

This all boils back down to my 3 core tenets: Get Strong, Move Weird, and Get Treatment.

Then you’ll be able to handle those stretches at the desk better.

Can massage help with this?

Of course, especially as you’re adjusting to the extra movement.

Book an appointment today by clicking here.

Lastly, if you’re struggling with where to start in getting strong?

Reply “Strong” to this email and we can talk next steps.

Cheers,

Brandon

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