Benefits of Massage Therapy for Posture

Most of us have been told to sit or stand up straight and we have taken it as fact that good posture is important. However, recent research is beginning to show that “correct posture” is not nearly as important as we once thought it was, and that there may not even be such a thing as perfect posture.

This shift in thinking is based on the idea that it isn’t our posture that is our problem, it’s the amount of time that we spend in that posture that is problematic. A number of studies have shown that having people sit in “correct” posture does not decrease back, shoulder or neck pain verses people that sit in their normal posture. What seems to make a difference is the amount of time that a person spends in that position. People who take frequent breaks or change their position often are less likely to experience pain or discomfort from sitting postures. For people that have jobs that require them to sit for long periods of time they would be better served taking breaks to stand up and move around, stretch or change their sitting position rather than trying to attain perfect posture.

For people who have standing occupations the same premise holds true. Adjusting your standing posture, taking breaks to stretch and being able to have periods where you can sit are all beneficial in decreasing pain while standing.

Massage Therapy Can Help

Massage therapy can help alleviate the stiffness and aches that can accompany sitting or standing in one position for too long. Your massage therapist can also advise you on stretches that you can perform throughout the day that will be beneficial to you depending on whether you spend most of your time sitting or standing.

(Click image to view full brochure/infographic or Click here to return to the Benefits of Massage Therapy page)

 References

Adegboye Oyelola A., Al-Marridi Haneen H., Al-Rojoub Zaina M., Fahad, H., El-Shareif Tasneem J. & Daas Rua, N. (2019)The Relationship Between Sedentary Behavior, Back Pain, and Psychosocial Correlates Among University Employees. Frontiers in Public Health. Vol 7 (80). Accessed  URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00080 

Messing, K., Stock, S. & Tissot, F. (2009) Studying the relationship between low back pain and working postures among those who stand and those who sit most of the working day, Ergonomics, 52:11, 1402-1418 accessed https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00140130903141204