NEWS: When in Doubt Slouch

CULTURE: When in Doubt Slouch

I hope, for your own sake, that while you read this you are not sitting up straight.

A new study using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device that is movable and does not require lying flat has shown that sitting up straight at a 90-degree angle, though preached as essential to a healthy spine, is actually the most damaging.

The study involved 22 healthy volunteers with no history of back pain who were observed sitting for long hours in one position. Over time, as they sat they were instructed to assume three different positions:

• slouched over a video game console
• a 90-degree angle upright sitting position
• a 135-degree angle reclined with feet firmly on the floor

The results showed that slouchers caused tension and pain to their lower spinal disks, but that sitting upright caused the most damage with the vertical pressure slowly forcing the back's muscles and disks out of line. It is best for long time back health for office workers or others who spend a great deal of time in a sitting position to find a chair that provides full support to the spine and allows reclined sitting. It would be best if it came with a cup-holder too.

Employers should note that fitting your employees with healthy orthopedic chairs would save money on sick days.

This does not surprise me a bit. It's pretty damn uncomfortable to sit perfectly straight for any period of time. Pain is never a good sign.

I think we *should* be allowed to lay down at work. Fuck it.

Less lay-offs! More lay-downs!

Shouldn't be hard to attach a flat LCD monitor to your ceiling. And you can lie down and type with your keyboard on your lap.

And while no studies have been performed yet, anecdotal evidence suggests that smoking weed is now considered excellent for your posture/spinal health.

Je-sus fuck. I'm not eating vegetables anymore either.

Well, that's good to hear. 'cause I've never sat up straight unless I was paying attention to my posture....and I tend to flop right back out of it the moment I stop paying attention.

science shmience, what do the chiropractors say?

I am gonna suggest that. They didn't buy my powernap suggestion though

They say they're going to have to see you twice a week for six years.

perfect ! I've never sat "correctly" all my life I think... most of the time I'm either leaning on my desk or reclined on my chair... quite a nice chair I have though, as you may see in my pic

Smoking is just exercise for your lungs. If you don't give them a good workout every hour or so, they atrophy.

i have that same exact setup at home for when im watching...nevermind.

score one for me