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Physiotherapist perceptions of optimal sitting and standing posture
Vasileios Korakakis1, Kieran O'Sullivan2, Peter B O'Sullivan3
1Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece; Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar; Hellenic Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy Diploma (HOMTD), Athens, Greece.
Musculoskeletal Science & Practice
|November 24, 2018
Summary
Physiotherapists widely believe upright lordotic postures are optimal for sitting and standing, despite limited evidence. This common belief influences spinal pain management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Physiotherapy
- Spinal Health
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Spinal posture assessment is a common practice for physiotherapists treating spinal pain.
- Current descriptions of optimal spinal posture are predominantly qualitative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate physiotherapists' beliefs about optimal sitting and standing postures.
- To understand the rationale behind these beliefs in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was conducted among Greek physiotherapists.
- Participants selected preferred sitting and standing postures and provided justifications.
Main Results:
- A high percentage of physiotherapists (93.9%) consider posture education very important.
- While consensus is not absolute, upright lordotic sitting and variations were most frequently chosen as optimal.
- Slouched postures and forward head positions were rarely selected as optimal.
Conclusions:
- Physiotherapists commonly favor upright lordotic postures, aligning with existing data but lacking strong evidence for superior health outcomes.
- Awareness of these prevalent beliefs is valuable for clinical assessment and management of spinal pain.
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