Perfect posture doesn't exist.

I know this challenges everything you've heard about sitting straight and pulling your shoulders back. But the research tells a different story than what the posture industry wants you to believe.

Dr. Xand van Tulleken, BBC presenter and medical doctor, recently exposed something that should concern every healthcare provider. The "perfect posture" we've been teaching patients is actually a myth. Worse, it might be making their back pain worse.

Here's what caught my attention. When researchers assessed healthy, pain-free people using traditional posture standards, 66% showed "forward head posture" and over 70% had "forward shoulders." These aren't sick people. These are normal, healthy individuals.

The numbers reveal something uncomfortable about our profession.

The Evidence Against Perfect Posture

The original creators of the "ideal posture" model admitted they had never seen anyone who actually matched their standard. Not once. Yet we've built an entire industry around correcting deviations from this impossible ideal.

Research published in clinical reviews states clearly: "Despite the absence of strong evidence to support these common beliefs, a large posture industry has flourished." The scientific consensus is shifting. Leading experts now conclude we shouldn't worry about conforming to some ideal posture because it's not likely contributing to back pain.

But here's the part that really challenges conventional thinking.

Core stability training, something I've recommended for years, can actually increase spinal compression by 45%. People with chronic pain often hold their core muscles tense constantly, which increases tension and pain over time.

What Actually Matters

The real problem isn't poor posture. It's static posture.

Time matters more than position. Sitting for eight hours in perfect alignment causes the same problems as sitting for eight hours slouched. Your body needs movement, not perfection.

This changes how I think about patient care. Instead of focusing on correcting posture, I focus on encouraging movement variability throughout the day. Simple reminders to change positions can reduce discomfort without impacting productivity.

The research supports this approach. Movement variability is actually a sign of healthy motor control, not something to correct.

Practical Changes for Your Practice

I've stopped recommending posture-correcting devices. Straps, braces, and restrictive chairs that limit natural movement often do more harm than good.

Instead, I tell patients three simple rules. Change positions regularly throughout the day. Stand and stretch when possible. Take breaks to reset your muscles.

This approach acknowledges that posture reflects mental state and stress levels, not just physical positioning. When we're stressed or focused, we naturally adopt different postures. Fighting this is fighting human nature.

The evidence is clear. Perfect posture is a marketing myth, not a medical necessity. Movement is medicine. Static positioning, regardless of how "correct" it looks, is the real enemy of back health.

My clients don't need perfect posture. They need permission to move.