What do physiotherapists consider to be the best sitting spinal posture?

While sitting is a common aggravating factor in low back pain (LBP), the best sitting posture remains unclear. This study investigated the perceptions of 295 physiotherapists in four different European countries on sitting posture. Physiotherapists selected their perceived best sitting posture from...

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Main Authors: O'Sullivan, Keiran, O'Sullivan, Peter, O'Sullivan, L., Dankaerts, W.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6908
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author O'Sullivan, Keiran
O'Sullivan, Peter
O'Sullivan, L.
Dankaerts, W.
author_facet O'Sullivan, Keiran
O'Sullivan, Peter
O'Sullivan, L.
Dankaerts, W.
author_sort O'Sullivan, Keiran
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description While sitting is a common aggravating factor in low back pain (LBP), the best sitting posture remains unclear. This study investigated the perceptions of 295 physiotherapists in four different European countries on sitting posture. Physiotherapists selected their perceived best sitting posture from a sample of nine options that ranged from slumped to upright sitting, as well as completing the back beliefs questionnaire (BBQ). 85% of physiotherapists selected one of two postures as best, with one posture being selected significantly more frequently than the remainder (p < 0.05). Interestingly, these two most frequently selected postures were very different from each other. Those who selected the more upright sitting posture had more negative LBP beliefs on the BBQ (p < 0.05). The choice of best sitting posture also varied between countries (p < 0.05). Overall, disagreement remains on what constitutes a neutral spine posture, and what is the best sitting posture. Qualitative comments indicated that sitting postures which matched the natural shape of the spine, and appeared comfortable and/or relaxed without excessive muscle tone were often deemed advantageous. Further research on the perceptions of people with LBP on sitting posture are indicated.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-69082017-10-24T00:34:49Z What do physiotherapists consider to be the best sitting spinal posture? O'Sullivan, Keiran O'Sullivan, Peter O'Sullivan, L. Dankaerts, W. sitting back pain physiotherapy posture While sitting is a common aggravating factor in low back pain (LBP), the best sitting posture remains unclear. This study investigated the perceptions of 295 physiotherapists in four different European countries on sitting posture. Physiotherapists selected their perceived best sitting posture from a sample of nine options that ranged from slumped to upright sitting, as well as completing the back beliefs questionnaire (BBQ). 85% of physiotherapists selected one of two postures as best, with one posture being selected significantly more frequently than the remainder (p < 0.05). Interestingly, these two most frequently selected postures were very different from each other. Those who selected the more upright sitting posture had more negative LBP beliefs on the BBQ (p < 0.05). The choice of best sitting posture also varied between countries (p < 0.05). Overall, disagreement remains on what constitutes a neutral spine posture, and what is the best sitting posture. Qualitative comments indicated that sitting postures which matched the natural shape of the spine, and appeared comfortable and/or relaxed without excessive muscle tone were often deemed advantageous. Further research on the perceptions of people with LBP on sitting posture are indicated. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6908 10.1016/j.math.2012.04.007 Elsevier restricted
spellingShingle sitting
back pain
physiotherapy
posture
O'Sullivan, Keiran
O'Sullivan, Peter
O'Sullivan, L.
Dankaerts, W.
What do physiotherapists consider to be the best sitting spinal posture?
title What do physiotherapists consider to be the best sitting spinal posture?
title_full What do physiotherapists consider to be the best sitting spinal posture?
title_fullStr What do physiotherapists consider to be the best sitting spinal posture?
title_full_unstemmed What do physiotherapists consider to be the best sitting spinal posture?
title_short What do physiotherapists consider to be the best sitting spinal posture?
title_sort what do physiotherapists consider to be the best sitting spinal posture?
topic sitting
back pain
physiotherapy
posture
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6908