Muscle Balance – Sitting Problems

One of the most important concepts you need to understand when treating back pain involves muscle balance therapy. The idea is common to other healthy living systems such as the Alexander technique and Pilates. Our individual living styles distort the way in which we use our bodies. Some muscles become over developed and others tend not to be used.

I remember that when I started treatment using the Alexander technique two problems were highlighted time and again.

1. The problems caused by having to sit at a desk

and

2. The impact on the lower back and our posture.

Why It Happens

When we are seated at our desks or driving our car the part of the spine which takes the most strain is usually the lower back. How many times have you seen people where they have a pronounced forward curve in their lower spine, their hips tilt forward, their belt will be slanted down and very often their stomachs will hang forward over their belt?

You should really do this test on yourself. Measure the curve of your lower spine by standing flat against a wall and feeling the gap between the wall and your lower spine. Or lie on the floor with your head on a couple of books. Then try and run your hand under your lower back and check out that gap. It shouldn’t really be there and you are using your muscles to maintain an unnatural posture.

There is actually a medical name for this type of posture, look up Hyperlordosis on the internet and check out some of the images. Sometimes you will hear the term “swayback” used and often this will be a problem for professional dancers who continually have to ark their backs.

A Picture Is Worth..

Often a picture can help to illustrate the concept and this one from wikicommons. It shows the type of pronounced curve in the lower back which can come from a sitting job. It also shows the two points A and B which would be on a vertical line if the back was healthy.

We think that sometimes a video can be the best way to explain what we mean and this one,by Jeff Gordon Parker, on Youtube does just that. It is a good introduction to these two problems and will hopefully help you to become more aware of the problems caused by sitting at a desk all day long.