Posture Is Not Corrected. It Is Regulated.

Introduction to Posture

In this episode, we tackle a topic that is often misunderstood: posture. We’ve all heard advice like "stand up straight" or "suck in your stomach," but are these tips really effective? Imagine trying to straighten up, suck in your stomach, and clench your buttocks, yet seeing no results. This could even worsen your back pain. So, what is posture?

Definition of Posture

Posture is the unconscious and involuntary regulation of the body’s position in space and time, in relation to gravity and muscle tone, to maintain optimal vertical stability with minimal energy expenditure.

The Components of Posture

To better understand this definition, let’s examine some key concepts:

• Regulation: Posture is not a fixed state, but a dynamic and adaptive process.
• Unconscious and Involuntary: Postural regulation is beyond our will. Trying to “hold yourself properly” can disrupt the natural physiological function.
• Relation to Gravity: Gravity acts as a constant force. Therefore, posture must be active and compensate by mobilizing muscular synergies.

The Role of the Nervous System

An essential element to consider is the nervous system. It plays a fundamental role in postural regulation. Often, the view of posture is limited to biomechanical considerations, focusing on weak or tense muscles without accounting for the nervous system.

Functioning of the Nervous System

The nervous system operates in four stages:

1. Taking in sensory information.
2. Interpreting the information.
3. Decision-making by the brain.
4. Motor command to the muscles.

It’s interesting to note that posture is only the fourth stage, resulting from sensory information and its interpretation.

Postural Regulation

It is crucial to understand that posture is not corrected; it is regulated. This means that posture is dynamic and evolves based on the stimuli received by the nervous system. In other words, there is no miracle exercise to correct posture.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best approach to improving your posture is not to overthink it and to work on regulation. Exercises and sensory stimulation can help regulate the sensorimotor loop, but it’s essential to understand that posture is a reflection of the overall functioning of the nervous system.

Finally, if you want to learn more about this topic, feel free to subscribe to our podcast. See you soon!