Question
hi, i am a 22 year old female ,all through grade school to college i remember being the only one slouching and feeling a need to bend my neck down while sitting in class. but this worsened as i got older, i'm very heavy at the bottom half of my body but have a very small waist, so i don't understand why my neck and back always hurt, my mom always argues that the pain is caused by always eating chocolate i sometimes feel like screaming from the uncomfort i have while sitting in school, i look at all the other students in class and they all are sitting straight up in perfect posture. i take regular check ups with my family doctor but never mentioned this to her, may i add i work as a cashier standind 8 hour shift and always feel better when i ask my neice to step on my back does this have any clues to what my problem might be please give me any advice or suggestions about my problem. thank you

Answer
Dear Sara,

The pain has nothing to do with chocolate, but a head-forward position puts strain on the back and neck muscles, which get tired and hurt.

You developed a postural habit of slouching that is now costing you your comfort.

A few sessions with a somatic educator can retrain those muscles.  See somatics.com, read the articles on back pain, then get with a practitioner.  It's probably the best long-term investment you may make in your life (if you consider how you're likely to age without doing something about your posture).  Your mom probably needs to have a talk with a practitioner, too, as she has some misguided notions about chocolate and its effect on posture.

You should be ok in about three weeks, if you follow my advice.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold