Milestones in the Evolution of Lumbar Spinal Postural Health in Seating

Abstract

The best knowledge on seated posture before the Enlightenment was not scientific, but influenced by sociocultural, economic, and manufacturing factors. Although the pursuit of knowledge related to spinal postural health was advanced with the advent of empirico-analytic research, academic opinion continued to be influenced by unsubstantiated information, often resulting in incorrect advice to the public. Only in the past decade has advice on "correct" seated posture, spanning the time from the Hippocratic texts to the present, been brought into question by evidence-based research. By exploring seating from 3100 B.C to the present, this article discusses key influences that have an impact on seating functional to spinal postural health. Emphasis is placed on the role of medical opinion.

Association between sitting and occupational LBP

“…Sitting and awkward posture It has been postulated that sustained awkward seating posture (lordosed or kyphosed, overly arched, or slouched) can result in higher intradiscal pressure and may be injurious to spinal postural health [64]. Therefore, awkward postures while sitting have been described as possible risk factors for the presence of LBP [12,25,30,71,80].…”

Multiple Impulse Therapy and Saunders Lumbar Traction Methods in the Treatment of Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Nearly 80% of adults experience this pain, which is the most common cause of visits to a primary care physician. It is widely believed that nearly 50% of all patients coming for physical therapy is affected by just this disease [1,2,7,9,20].…”

“…In case of failure of the conservative therapy, there may appear neurological deficits and the need for surgical treatment. However, most patients are treated conservatively using pharmacotherapy and physical procedures [7][8][9].…”

Habitual, perceived ideal and neutral sitting postures within an asymptomatic young adult population: Muscle activity and sagittal spinal curvature

“…It should be noted that both the NSP and SPIP, when maintained, will likely lead to increased levels of fatigue due to increased global muscle activity, compared to the HSP. To reduce the onset of fatigue during prolonged periods of unsupported sitting, incorporation of active movements may be beneficial (Pynt, Higgs and Mackey, 2002). However, further study is required to support this.…”