One of the tests that I always do with new clients to assess their posture is to see whether they are standing upright.

Why is this significant? Because leaning forwards puts much more load on the muscles of the neck, back and the backs of the legs.

Think about it – standing tall and straight is the least amount of work for the body because the maximum weight is going straight down through the bones into the ground. Lean forwards – even a little – and now the muscles of the legs and back have to work much harder to stop you toppling forwards to an undignified landing!

Do You Lean Forwards?

My test is simple – try this for yourself.

Stand up and find a straight edge on the floor somewhere – the edge of a rug, a line in the flooring pattern or something. Make sure you are safe though with no risk of a trip.

Stand with your heels or your toes on this line and make sure you have room all around you.

Now – if you feel safe and stable – close your eyes and walk on the spot. Add some vigour to this – swing your arms, march on the spot. Do this for maybe 10 seconds and then stop.

Critically – don’t move your body once you stop.

Open your eyes … check where you are now in relation to the line that you started on.

If you have moved forwards , you almost certainly lean forwards when you stand and walk. The distance you moved is an indication of how much.

If you rotated to the left or right, this might indicate a rotation of your spine in your chest, abdomen or hips. It may also mean you lean a little to one side.

Neither of these is a major problem in itself, it’s about the extra load that it adds to your day.

What Do I Do Next?

If you do lean forwards you are causing more work for your leg, back and neck muscles.

If you do have back pain this can make a major difference to how much pain you are in and is so easily remedied.

Stand up straight.

I don’t mean like a beefeater on guard at Buckingham Palace straight – rigid and tense.

Just rock back gently onto your heels a little and try to find the point where about half of your weight is on your heels and half on the balls of your feet. This isn’t science, just roughly half and half. Too far forward and you can’t lift your toes, too far back and you rise falling backwards. Now roll your shoulders back and down and tuck your chin in a little.

This is probably enough to reduce most of the forward leaning and will allow your back to rest.

I Do Postural Assessments

At the first appointment I always do a postural assessment and give advice like this and other aspects to clients.

Call me if you’d like some help to be able to help yourself – 07836 545 382 – or recommend this article to someone who is currently suffering.