Top 3 Worst Sitting Postures for Your Spine

These unhealthy and common postures can lead to pain and other symptoms, but sitting properly is a simple habit

Incorrect postures, such as hunching and slouching, can damage your spine. So what's the correct sitting posture? Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

To maintain a healthy spine, it’s crucial to have proper sitting posture. Incorrect postures, such as hunching or sitting in a half-reclined position, can damage the spine, leading to pain in the shoulders, neck, and lower back. When it comes to pain-inducing ways to sit, hunching is one of the worst offenders.

1. Hunching

Hunching is widely regarded as the worst sitting posture. Many people, especially office workers who spend long hours at the computer, tend to hunch while sitting. One possible explanation is that their keyboard is placed too far away, making it difficult to sit up straight. As a result, they often end up sitting with a hunched back and a raised head.

Prolonged hunching while sitting can lead to the following symptoms:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Dry eyes
• Stiff and sore neck and shoulders
• Pain in the middle of the scapula
• Cervical degeneration and bone spurs
• Chest tightness
• Stomach pain
• Indigestion
• Fasciitis
• Memory decline

Hunching can compress the stomach and respiratory tract, leading to breathing difficulties, chest tightness, and indigestion.