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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Husbands dreadful posture

36 replies

Sandinmypants · 22/09/2018 16:55

I realise this makes me sound awful and a bit ridiculous. My husband is tall, around
6’3”. He seems to be increasingly developing an awful posture. He is quite hunched over around his shoulders and his neck, rather than coming straight up out of his shoulders, protrudes forwards at a 45 degree angle.

I am worried about him. I think he is storing awful pain and back problems up for himself. When we first met, I was so attracted to his height and big frame (I’m tall myself and am drawn to tall, big guys).

I have tried talking to him gently about it. He went to see a physio who gave him some strengthening exercises which I’ve never seen him do. I have shown him YouTube videos with things that might help. This afternoon I got in a bit of a grump with him when I saw him yet again standing there all hunched over.

Any suggestions of ways to improve this and help him would be great. He knows it is an issue but has said he doesn’t know what to do to improve it. AIBU to be so worried about it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sandinmypants · 22/09/2018 20:42

educatingarti when he runs he is stiff in his movements yes. He holds his shoulders and neck still. There is definitely no fluidity in his movement. I put it down to his posture and general lankiness. I’m wondering if I should be concerned now though. When you say serious medical conditions...

OP posts:
Original poster
Sandinmypants · 22/09/2018 20:44

easynow he has to make a real effort to get them to touch the wall. It is definitely not a natural state for him, it’s like he is really cranking them back. And there is almost then a ‘D’ shape between his neck and the wall, it doesn’t come straight up off his shoulders (sorry, I know I’m not describing this very well). Basically, I could easily put my hand between his neck and the wall.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sandinmypants · 22/09/2018 20:46

gendercritter I’ve thought about doing this. I’m worried he is going to take real offence one of these days. So far he is quite good natured about it but I know of it was the other way around I wouldn’t take it as well as he is Blush

OP posts:
educatingarti · 22/09/2018 21:47

If the stiffness is a new phenomenon or has got worse as his neck posture has got worse, then it is possible it is something more than poor posture. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I'm only going off what happened to a relative. It could be symptomatic of a variety of things from arthritis to Parkinson's, which is why I suggested you encourage him to see his GP. If he has always run that way, then it doesn't match what happened to my relative.

Waddsup12 · 22/09/2018 21:53

Tall doesn't help, my DH was stooping to talk to me.

However, it may also be an age and posture thing, as muscles weaken with age and the positions associated with working in an office (if he does). My DH took up functional fitness and he's back taller now plus I shout at him a lot about it! It's worth getting it sorted as it can become chronic.

[https://www.theptdc.com/2014/07/upper-crossed-syndrome Upper Crossed Syndrome]

Waddsup12 · 22/09/2018 21:54

That was supposed to link to an article about Upper Crossed Syndrome!

Original poster
Sandinmypants · 22/09/2018 22:08

waddsup thank you for sharing that article, the postural description in that is exactly what I have noticed in my husband. Ok. I feel better having had all of these responses now (thanks all) and we are going to address this together. I am sure I could do with some postural help too.

I’ve had a chat with him this evening about taking up a pilates class weekly and he is going to look for an Alexander technique specialist. Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Jaimx86 · 22/09/2018 22:10

Would he go to a yoga class with you. It’s really improved my Dh’s (aged 35, 6’2) posture.

thereallifesaffy · 22/09/2018 22:17

Scoliosis? That's a curvature if the spine. Can be genetic. DD has it. You can get a referral for an x Ray. Make sure it's a standing x Ray. If he has it he should work hard at strengthening his core. You can't correct it without surgery (or possibly bracing, but he's too old for that!) but you can mitigate the effects
Or he may just be slouching!

Waddsup12 · 22/09/2018 22:41

Some simple cues are imagine putting your shoulder blades into your back pockets and I find saying lift your chest helps. It puts the shoulder blades back and down and the neck into a better position.

I also make him do a duck exercise where you stick your chin right out and then back in until his neck is in a better position. I can't find a video to describe this but whilst looking came across this.

[https://www.t-nation.com/training/tip-the-forward-head-posture-fix]

Waddsup12 · 22/09/2018 22:42

Posture fix

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