I recently came across an article published by the RSNA (Radiological Society of North America) with research indicating that it is actually healthy to slouch. I spend anywhere between 8 and 16 hours in front of the computer daily. For that reason, ergonomics are very important to me. But can slouching really be healthy?
Seems like everything is healthy these days:
It is healthy to drink alcohol - A glass or two of wine each day will lower cholesterol and maintain a healthy heart, or so the studies say. The term French Paradox was first coined on 60 minutes in 1991 to explain the strange phenomenon that people living in the Southern region of France have one of the lowest rates of heart attack globally. This contradicted an unhealthy diet laden with saturated fats, cigarettes, and lack of exercise. What did all these healthy people have in common? They were drinking red wine. Sales of red wine in the United States shot up 40% just weeks after the broadcast was aired and were up 39% the following year.
It is healthy to drink coffee – According to an article published on WebMD, studies at Harvard and Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee (java drinking has its own institute!?) have found that coffee can lower the risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease and colon cancer. I guess the reported health benefits of coffee aren't just buzz, since the findings are backed by 18 years of research at Harvard. I need more crappucinno for my bunghole. Sorry, couldn't resist.
It is healthy to eat chocolate – Packed with flavonoids and mmm mmm good, dark chocolate has been found to reduce anxiety and promote good blood flow. No wonder chocolate was given the botanical name "Theobroma cacao" back in the 1700s. Theobroma literally means "food of the gods." Ancient wisdom for the modern scientist. By the way, does anyone remember the food pyramid? Are you getting enough calcium? Got milk?
What do all of these studies have in common? There is a product to sell. No doubt, all of the above mentioned products had a huge boost in sales after science "proved" it is healthy and media popularized the findings. It is no longer taboo to eat chocolate, drink alcohol and have your cup of joe! You know what I'll be ordering at my local café: an Irish coffee mochacinno... make it a double, with whip cream and dark chocolate sprinkles. There is no better way to start the day! Wait a minute, does cream have calcium?
Anyhow, my initial reaction upon discovering this article was, "Okay, what are they trying to sell?" Hmm... ergonomic slouch chairs? Perhaps. I can understand how they got funding for the research, because back pain is the number one cause of work-related disability and job-related absentees according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
So, what did the RSNA actually find? To start with, there is a difference between hunching and slouching. The "slouch" is a posture that involves reclining in the direction opposite of your desk. Defined as "...a 'relaxed' position where the patient reclines backward 135 degrees..." slouching should not be confused with hunching. Think of it as cruising in a low rider at your desk. Theme music please, cue Gin & Juice "...Slouchin in my seat, typin typin, sippin on gin and juice... laid back (with my mind on my money and my money on my mind)."
After studying 22 volunteers, reduction in spinal disk misalignment was greatest when assuming the slouch position. In contrast, disk movement was most pronounced when sitting in a posture where the body is aligned at a 90 degree angle. So there you have it. Get your slouch on!
Corporate employers take note, a study has indicated that worker productivity increases by atleast 46.5% when employees are sitting in the Slouch Chair™ and listening to Snoop Dogg. Now the question is, who is going to give me venture capital to create the Slouch Chair™?
If you'd like to read the full article posted by the RSNA on posture, you can check it out here: Aching Back? Sitting Up Straight Could Be the Culprit.
You be the judge. Do you trust Miss Manners and proper posture or do you trust the RSNA and slouching? If you are convinced that slouching is good for you, kick back that cubicle seat, and ask your employer about getting a Slouch Chair™.