Posture Is a Symptom, Not the Cause: Rethinking the Role
of Alignment in Musculoskeletal Pain
For years, clinicians and the public alike have believed that poor posture causes pain,
especially in the spine. But modern biomechanics is telling a different story.
❝What if your posture is not the problem, but your body’s solution to pain?❞
Recent scientific evidence reveals that changes in posture are adaptive responses to pain, not
the source of it. Your body subtly adjusts to protect painful tissues by redistributing muscle
activity, altering joint loads, and changing movement strategies. These adjustments may
appear as poor posture, but they’re your nervous system doing its job.
What the Research Actually Shows
1. No consistent link has been found between posture and low back pain across
systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
2. People with and without pain often share similar spinal postures.
3. Pain triggers complex motor control adaptations, like reducing force or shifting
muscle recruitment, not just slouching.
4. These changes often persist even after pain disappears.
The “The bad posture causes pain” theory crumbles under scientific scrutiny.
Pain Drives Postural Change, Not the Other Way Around
Your nervous system is hardwired to protect. When pain is perceived (or anticipated), your
body:
– Reduces activity in some muscles (usually around the painful area),
– Overactivates others (to stabilize or compensate),
– Adopts protective positions—even if they look dysfunctional.
These changes are not errors; they are protective programs—automatically deployed by
your brain and spinal cord.
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Use it at your own discretion. If you wish to share your opinion, use the link below:
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Published on: 26 May 2025, 08:26 IST