The Correlation between Movement and Posture is a favorite subject of bodyworkers and movement therapists for good reason. But does it really matter? The short answer is yes. Of course it is important to stand in a way that is beneficial, sit in a way that is ergonomic, and walk in a way that is efficient. But the deepest element to consider when talking about posture is how it effects movement. Movement is important for keeping our synovial fluids moving freely and lubricating our joints; indeed, movement is what causes our body to produce synovial fluid to begin with. Lymph flow also relies on movement to pump the fluids through the lymph nodes. Lack of movement causes stagnation, stiffness and rigidity. With movement comes lubrication, fluidity and ease.

So how does posture fit in to movement? If we think about posture as an outward sign of balance, we can see how posture (balance) is related to movement. If for example a person has a forward head posture from work and body habits, this person is going to have a difficult time with certain activities that require specific movements. Aside from being limited in back bends in yoga class, this person will also have trouble backing out of the driveway, looking at the stars, or reaching into the cupboards in the kitchen. The more severe an individual imbalance is, the more severe the compensation mechanisms become, which have their own consequences. It does not take too much consideration of this matter to realize that posture dictates our quality of movement.

Massage, especially therapeutic massage that addresses the connective tissue structures, can help greatly with both posture and movement. The trick with this though is it requires regular massage; for some this can mean once a week for improvements in posture and movement, and once a month for maintenance. Each person has a unique pattern to their body habits, but in general this regimen works for most people. Massage does make a moderate to major measurable difference in not only the way the body feels, but in how it functions both at rest and in movement; it can also help you look better because, well, posture!