You might end up with sciatica or scoliosis because of incorrect posture

From indianexpress.com

Sciatica refers to a condition where the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, causing sharp pain, tingling, or numbness down the leg

If you are prone to slouching, listen up! Digital creator Shivam Ahlawat shared a reel on Instagram, documenting two very common ways that can be the hidden culprits behind leg pain, resulting in broader conditions such as sciatica and scoliosis.

In the first instance, he puts all the weight on one leg while standing, and in the second instance, he is seen standing with his arm propped onto a flat surface (in this context, a table) and the rest of the weight is on his hip.

In the caption, Ahlawat mentioned, “As long as everything is fine, you don’t realise it, but after some time, when something comes to light, there is nothing left except regret.”

How can these two ways of standing lead to sciatica and scoliosis? Indianexpress.com spoke to a health expert to understand the correlation and find out ways in which you can prevent them by fixing your posture.

“Improper standing, such as shifting weight unevenly or excessive forward pelvic tilt, can compress the sciatic nerve, leading to sciatica—a painful condition characterised by radiating pain from the lower back down to the legs,” said Dr Dharmesh Shah, Founder and Director of Holistica World.

He also added that poor posture, especially asymmetrical standing positions, can contribute to scoliosis (curvature of the spine), worsening over time due to uneven muscle stress.

                         Poor posture, especially asymmetrical standing positions, can contribute to scoliosis (Source: Freepik)

What are sciatica and scoliosis?

Sciatica refers to a condition where the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, causing sharp pain, tingling, or numbness down the leg. It can limit mobility and lead to chronic pain.

Scoliosis, on the other hand, is a sideways curvature of the spine that can lead to back pain, reduced lung capacity, and posture issues. Severe cases may also require surgery.

Ideal ways of standing to prevent such pain

                                                                Keep your spine aligned, shoulders back, and chin level (Source: Freepik)

Dr Shah recommended the following 4 tips to make sure your posture does not result in additional or long term chronic pain:

– Distribute weight evenly on both feet.

– Maintain a neutral pelvic position.

– Keep your spine aligned, shoulders back, and chin level.

– Avoid locking your knees and practice good posture habits regularly.

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fitness/sciatica-scoliosis-back-pain-fitness-posture-9528844/