6 posture mistakes in everyday life that, according to physiotherapists, we should definitely avoid – and how best to do it

6 everyday posture mistakes – and how we avoid them, according to experts

It’s normal for the body to hurt from time to time: when we’ve just ramped up our sporting activities, completed a series marathon on the perhaps not-so-comfortable couch – or even (hello, winter!) when we’ve just caught a cold . In principle, however, the following applies: For physically healthy people, pain in muscles or joints should remain the exception – and not the rule.

If this is the case, it could be due to how we move in everyday life – at (care) work or in our free time. There are many small movement patterns that are not really good for us, but which we repeat unconsciously anyway, says Dr. Kellen Scantlebury, physical therapist and founder of Fit Club NY. And in the long run these can become a problem.

Posture errors can quickly creep in anywhere. While walking, reading or checking news on our smartphone (actually a no-brainer: it can It’s not healthy to crouch over your cell phone with your neck hunched, right?). The tricky thing is that we often don’t notice when we’re sitting crooked or in an unhealthy posture. Nevertheless, we should pay attention. Because: Incorrect posture can cause long-term pain, limited mobility or a higher risk of injury.

So that this doesn’t happen, we asked. Dr. Scantlebury and two other physiotherapists told us which exercise habits they would like us to break. Don’t worry: we don’t want to make you feel guilty, we want to help you move in a way that’s good for you – just as it should be.

According to psychotherapists, almost all of us make these 6 posture mistakes

1. Your neck is suffering – and your phone is to blame

Do you sometimes find yourself tilting your chin toward your chest to look at your phone? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In fact, almost all of us do it – often for hours on end (if you doubt this, you should take a look at his:her screen time). The phenomenon even has a name: “Tech Neck”. And even if a tense neck just sounds nervous at first (and not like serious pain), it can cause serious damage in the long term. This attitude is “ruinous” for your health, warns Dr. Candace Harding, physical therapist and yoga teacher. The consequences range from neck pain to jaw problems and migraines.

Why is it so problematic when the head tilts towards the breastbone? It’s physics! Your neck is designed to close your head support – and it weighs about five kilos. As soon as you tilt it forward, the angle changes and the pressure on the neck increases. It’s as if your head suddenly weighs a lot more, explains physiotherapist Dr. Scantlebury. Imagine if your neck suddenly had to carry seven or eight kilos instead of five. It’s no wonder that the muscles complain at some point – and in the worst case, weaken.

The consequences? Pain and clicking in your jaw because your head is in a bad position, or tension headaches because the muscles at the base of your skull are too tight, explains Dr. Harding.