Believe it or not, there is a theory that sitting with an erect spine and straight back may be over rated. Prevention Magazine published the results of a recent study supporting this.

(April 1, 2007)–Turns out that sitting up straight is actually bad for your back.

When Scottish researchers took MRI scans of 22 volunteers, they found that sitting at a 90-degree angle puts pressure on the lower back–enough to squeeze fluid from the disks that cushion vertebrae. “We saw dramatic changes after just 10 minutes of being in this position,” says study author and radiologist Waseem Amir Bashir.

The healthiest position, according to their research: Adjust the height of your chair so your hips are 3 to 4 inches higher than your knees. Recline slightly, with a small pillow behind your lower back, so your backbone is at a 135-degree angle to your thighs.


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