Oscar the Slouch Trivia Quiz

Answer: Acid Reflux

When your body is not aligned properly, it can cause constriction of internal organs, including your stomach. Sometimes people with CHRONIC acid reflux (GERD) over long periods of time develop cancer of the esophagus. We can only hope that Oscar will change his habits.

Answer: True

Neuro-researchers claim that there is a direct link along a nerve between the brainstem and the neck muscles. The cells in this part of the brain play an important role in blood pressure regulation and heart rate. When neck muscles are injured or strained in some way, the nerves are also affected.

Answer: Ringing in the ears

Oscar has learned the hard way that bad body positions are not always about your lower back. Sometimes it's just the way you hold your head. It was once thought that TMJ (temporomandibular joint) condition was merely a dental issue, but studies have shown that it can be caused by bad posture and can lead to such things as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), facial swelling, severe headaches, vertigo (dizziness) and balance problems.

Answer: Constipation

Oscar's bowels are definitely affected by poor posture, especially when he leans forward with rounded shoulders. This position can cause his intestines to "drop", which interferes with normal peristaltic activity. If he changes his posture, he might not need that dry and boring bran muffin every morning!

Answer: Between the keyboard and the monitor

Ideally, the document you are working from should be placed between the keyboard and the monitor so that a) you don't have to tilt your head up and b) you don't have to keep turning your head in one direction for extended periods of time. The upper half of your monitor should be approximately at eye-level. If you place your copyholder in the front of the keyboard, that would make it very difficult to type!

Answer: Low blood oxygen content

Shallow breathing caused by bad posture has all sorts of consequences, as every cell in your body requires a good oxygen supply. A fully efficient diaphragm is also essential to proper functioning of the lymphatic system (where interstitial fluids are returned to the blood stream). Just a few of the possible problems include insomnia, swelling/inflammation, heart palpitations, chest pain, fatigue, muscle spasms, stress, tingling or numb hands/feet and a reduced immune system.

Answer: Yes

If you're doing other things with your hands besides holding the phone, you end up cradling the receiver on your shoulder and keeping it there by tilting your neck sideways. Do that too often and you'll develop a painful "crick" in your neck/shoulders and could do unrecoverable disc damage over time.

Answer: 120 degrees

Perhaps surprisingly, MRI imaging tests in Scotland and Canada have shown that while a 90 degree sitting posture may be good for the very short-term, it isn't for people who sit for many hours in a day (such as truckers or computer users who do not take breaks).

It is currently thought that a 135 degree angle is best because it involves the least amount of disc compression. However, unless you also have an ergonomic chair with a seat that can be tilted, there is a tendency to "slide off" so the general consensus is somewhere in the region of 120 degrees.

A 90 degree angle was proven to be the one where disc and hip movement (out of place) was most observable over long term. "Slouch" positions (less than 90 degrees) show the highest disc compression (and therefore the worst "wear and tear" on the lower back in the long run).

Answer: Headaches

Headaches, especially those of the "tension" sort, can be caused by incorrect posture because the pain-sensitive areas of the neck and head are serviced by one central nerve.

Spina bifida (where the spinal cord is not fully encapsulated) is a birth defect. Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine from side to side) is either congenital, idiopathic or neuromuscular (as a complication of some other problem such as cerebral palsy, amongst others). Although many people think Dowager's hump/hunchback can be caused by bad posture, it is almost always the result of a birth defect or, in elderly people, the long-term consequences of arthritis/bone loss.

Answer: On his stomach

There is no universally perfect sleeping position. However, if you have lower back problems, then sleeping on your stomach is one of worst. Not only is your spine in an abnormal curvature, but your neck (which will be to one side or the other) will be in a very uncomfortable and unnatural position. People with back problems should sleep on their backs, with either support under their knees or in the lumbar area.

The main disadvantage of this position is, of course, that you're more likely to snore. Luckily, Oscar the Slouch lives alone : )