Across Paddington, professionals in NHS roles, hospitality, and desk-based jobs are experiencing poor posture, which not only affects them physically but also mentally. Whether you work long shifts at St Mary’s Hospital, clock hours in an office near Paddington Basin, or manage bookings at a hotel front desk on Praed Street, your posture may suffer. That’s especially the case if you sit in an unsupportive chair.
Without a doubt, staying sedentary for too long can really tax the body.
“If you’re doing a long shift and you’re sitting all the time, you just end up slumping more and more, and gravity takes its toll,” says Roger Reid (Doctor of Chiropractic).
And given the rise in remote work, plenty of people work from sofas, hunching over their laptops. This positioning places enormous strain on the spine and is simply unsustainable in the long term. A proper ergonomic setup requires a dedicated workspace with an appropriately adjusted desk height and adequate lumbar support.
Simple Posture Fixes & the Importance of Movement
So, what should you do to improve your posture? “The most common thing is, first, try not to sit for too long. And secondly, a little bit of lumbar support is really helpful,” says Roger. Without the proper habits, tension builds and joints stiffen, leading to discomfort or even pain. Wearing comfortable, rubber-soled shoes can also help reduce strain and support better alignment throughout the day.
It’s also common to cross the legs or slide down in the chair without noticing, which adds extra strain over time.
Stress and Slouching Go Hand-in-Hand
Stress doesn’t just affect your mood. It pulls your shoulders up, tightens your chest and makes deep breathing harder. This can create a cycle of poor posture and more tension. What to do to combat this? “Get up and move around, do some shoulder rolls, and take a nice deep breath,” says Roger. Exercise is also a fantastic stress reliever, so consider taking a walk at lunchtime or practising yoga or meditation. Another suggestion from our chiropractor? “Go to the park and hug a tree if it makes you feel better; just make sure you get that stress off. You don’t want to bottle it all up.”
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
When your body is stiff or sore, it can be hard to fix posture on your own. That’s where chiropractic has massive benefits. It helps restore motion in tight joints and supports better breathing and alignment. It’s about freeing up movement and helping your body work as it should, before pain sets in.
If your posture could use some perfecting, contact Body 4 Life Healthcare today to schedule an appointment with Roger.