"Sitting up straight does not prevent or treat back pain, study finds"

[Dolphin]

Sitting up straight does not prevent or treat back pain, study finds
There is not one ‘safe’ or ‘proper’ way to sit when it comes to back pain

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and...vent-or-treat-back-pain-study-finds-1.4462419

“If you feel okay, then don’t worry about your sitting posture and don’t lecture your kids or friends about how they sit,” said Dr O’Sullivan, who is a lecturer in physiotherapy at UL.

For those who do suffer from back pain however, Dr O’Sullivan said that it’s reasonable to see if changing your posture helps your pain. “Don’t assume that the solution is always sitting up straight. Some people benefit from sitting up straight but slightly more people benefit from slouching.”

I don't know of course how definitive this study really is/these comments really are.

 

[leokitten]

Very true, kind of makes sense too because sitting period isn’t good for spine etc, since humans never evolved to sit like we do all the time now.

 

[Wonko]

Has anyone considered pain killers to treat back pain?

Slightly more expensive than sitting up straight, but, especially in light of this 'revelation' more effective in 'some' cases.

I know, too out there, too unconventional for medicine to even consider.

 

[Arnie Pye]

Has anyone considered pain killers to treat back pain?

My husband has suffered from back pain for over forty years. He refuses to take painkillers, however he does do exercises he's been taught by physiotherapists over the years and also uses an exercise bike at a setting which makes it difficult to turn the pedals. He also walks several miles about 4 times a week. He tells me that if he takes painkillers it means that he moves more freely which sounds good - until the painkillers wear off and he's then in far more pain than he was before he took the painkillers in the first place. So he refuses to take them.

I must admit I wouldn't control pain the way he does. I need my painkillers.

 

[rvallee]

Mild shock

No. Way. What about happy thoughts, though? What about happy thoughts?!

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

Study with meaningless methodology shows that studies with meaningless methodology cannot be trusted - or does it?

I seem to remember that there was a study that showed that people with osteoporosis who did extension spinal exercises had fewer fractures leading to kyphosis, and that those doing flexion exercises had more than those doing none! Which makes quite a lot of sense if you think about it.

 

[DokaGirl]

But my Mom definitely said, "Don't slouch!" Now what do I do?

 

[shak8]

Sitting straight helps the neck a bit with supporting one's heavy head. Less strain.

 

[Snow Leopard]

This is the study itself:

Notions of “optimal” posture are loaded with meaning. Perceptions of sitting posture among asymptomatic members of the community
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2468781220306159?dgcid=coauthor

A prior review from 2007 by one of the authors:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17711060/

And the press release:
https://www.ul.ie/research/news-centre/news/university-limerick-study-shows-‘proper’-sitting-posture-does-not-prevent-back-pain

Given the study, this conclusion isn't generalisable to people with back problems.