Are You Sitting Wrong? (You’re Not Alone — And It’s Fixable)

Jacquelynn Gould
Aug 2
2 min read

We all know sitting for long periods isn’t ideal — but did you know that how you sit might be just as important as how often?

I recently came across a short and powerful YouTube video that explains why most of us are sitting the wrong way — and what we can do to change that. It’s only a minute long, but it’s packed with insight.

If you work at a desk, drive often, or simply spend hours seated each day, this post is for you.

Why Sitting “Wrong” Leads to Chronic Pain

When we sit in a collapsed or unsupported position — like slouching into our low back or tilting the pelvis forward — it puts a ton of pressure on the spine, hips, and shoulders. Over time, this misalignment can lead to:

Low back pain
Tight hip flexors
Rounded shoulders and forward-head posture
Neck stiffness
Reduced circulation
Core weakness
Poor gait and posture habits

Even if you exercise regularly, spending most of your day sitting in poor alignment can cancel out many of the benefits.

What’s the Right Way to Sit?

According to the video (and what I see in my clinic every day), healthy sitting starts with:

A neutral pelvis — sit on your sit bones, not your tailbone
An upright spine — imagine your head floating tall, not pushed forward
Feet grounded — flat on the floor, knees at 90 degrees
Shoulders relaxed — not hunched or locked back

It sounds simple — but with old habits, it takes time and awareness to retrain your body. That’s where bodywork comes in.

How Massage Therapy Helps Correct Postural Patterns

As a Registered Massage Therapist and Thai Massage Instructor, I help clients address the tension and compensation patterns caused by poor sitting habits.

Massage therapy can:

Release tight hip flexors, glutes, and low back muscles
Open the chest and shoulders
Improve awareness of spinal alignment
Restore circulation and reduce inflammation
Support deeper breathing and nervous system regulation
Reduce overall pain and stiffness

Thai massage and assisted stretching are especially helpful because they address not just muscles — but movement patterns and mobility.

Combine Awareness + Massage for Real Change

Becoming aware of your sitting habits is the first step. Combining that awareness with therapeutic massage helps your body relearn what “aligned” actually feels like — so you can sit, stand, and move with more ease.

📽️ Start here: Watch this quick video

Warmly,

Jacquelynn Gould, RMT

Fusion Thai Massage – Mississauga