Posture - What it does or doesn’t do
Posture is just that - posture, good or bad, it is what it is. We have always been told to stand up straight, to use good posture, but never has anyone explained what posture does for the body. So here is what we have found is the significance. Whatever one’s posture is, it determines the mechanics of use in the body. It literally determines what muscles will be used for what tasks. In some cases, all will work well. Although, for the majority of people, their posture initiates less efficient, sometimes over-stressful techniques of moving. Statistically for 80% of Americans, it develops the overuse of the lumbar spine and creates the spinal stress of lower back pain. So, how does better or different posture change all of this?Posture, as we see its function in movement, is like the light switch of the body. Whatever posture an individual maintains, determines which muscles fire or are ready to fire. Bad posture is that posture which sets the least efficient combinations of muscles for the body to move through its daily tasks. These combinations are least efficient because they activate on the ligament and joint system in such a way to wear on the joints excessively and create vulnerability towards injury in the movement system. It is a postural position that would perpetuate an overuse injury or cause a repetitive motion injury, such as torn meniscus, carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated and bulging discs, bursitis and rotator cuff injuries.
The inverse of this is “good” posture, which creates the least amount of stress on the body. This perpetuates healthy joint mobility, reduces the risks of repetitive motion injuries and in many cases, can actually relieve pain and induce healing of a chronic pain or injury. It is the most economical and strongest position for the body to function in.
Posture is directly responsible for the body’s ability to utilize the greatest activation of core stabilization. For these reasons, Joseph Pilates was very effective in the creation of his study and use of movement. He was able to create ways to find, feel and develop movement regimens that would help his students define their individual best posture and maintain it consistently through out their lives. As a footnote, the best-known published work by Joseph Pilates was his book called “Return To Life”.
