Today’s entry was instigated by a comment Pete Egoscue makes in his book “Pain Free“:

“Do we unconsciously associate dysfunctional and functional physical characteristics with certain social groups?  Indeed we do, and ironically it is many of the dysfunctions that are regarded as cool and stylish.  Every spring- and fall-fashion season, I’m again struck by the ‘look’ that designers create using models who grow ever more stoop-shouldered, whose heads hang, and whose torsos tip forward.  They slouch down the runways in Paris, New York, and London with their feet everted and their hips rolled back into flexion.” (pg. 168)

Just prior to that passage, Pete talks about the gag from old TV shows, where the country bumpkin somehow gets invited for tea with the high-society folk.  He slurps it up, his elbow straight out, while they gingerly tip their cups from the wrist, elbows down, staring at the rube in distaste.

I’ve often wondered about this facet of human behavior.  It’s ubiquitous – everywhere at once – and present in every “civilized” culture that’s ever existed.  It’s the tendency for what is “high class,” or “most civilized,” to be furthest from what is natural (and, in that regard, also furthest from being healthy).

Here are some examples:

• The Western Chair - this device is okay if used in strict moderation.  But these days, it is used more than a person uses their legs!  Its constant use results in a chain of dysfunction that creates more health problems than I want to list here.
• “Refined” Foods - white rice, flour, etc.  Any refined food was originally prized because it basically got you high.  All of the nutrients that would ordinarily buffer the effect of the carbohydrates in the food were stripped away in the refining process, leaving, essentially, sugar.  ALL HAIL WHITE FOODS! screamed the jittery upper-crust (who were the only ones who could afford them).  When the lower class aspired to be upper class, they did so by eating what the “smart” upper crust ate.  Sugar.
• Fashionable Clothing - Egoscue is right.  Dr. Victor Barker writes about the deleterious effects of high heels on women in his book “Posture Makes Perfect.”  Among them, posterior pelvic tilt, which results in decreased sensation during intercourse, increased chance of premature birth, and eventual dowager’s hump in the upper thoracic spine.  But fashionable clothing doesn’t stop with shoes.  What about “skinny jeans?”  They certainly restrict blood flow to the legs and feet.  But they also limit movement, or capacity for movement.  What about the business suit?  Have you ever tried to work out in a business suit?  I haven’t yet (though the day is coming soon  ; )  ), but I have a good idea of what it will be like – that suit is going to be shredded by the end.
• Movement Mores – the teacup example Egoscue lists isn’t alone.  Every culture has its own rules of etiquette, that are typically linked to old necessities versus any real physical benefits.  You wouldn’t put your elbows on the table because otherwise you’d tip it over!  You don’t wear your hat when dining because it’s filthy dirty!  Some of them,though, are simply, again, “posturing.”  Sitting up straight at the dinner table might make you look “proper,” but it’s bad for your back!  You need to shift positions frequently, especially if you’re locked into a chair all day!  Further, many “civilized” people have admonitions about adults getting down on the floor or behaving in “childish” ways at all.

One of the things that amazes me about all of these rules is that they’re so energy/time consuming compared to their alternatives.  If you didn’t have to sit in a chair, for instance, you wouldn’t have to buy one!  And then no one would have to make one!  There are plenty of cultures (even now) that don’t use chairs.  More time for other things.

Food is no different.  Refining foods takes a huge amount of energy and time, compared with preparing them in their natural state, or eating them raw.  Fashionable (read “uncomfortable”) clothing also takes a lot of time to make compared with more comfortable and movement-friendly clothing.  If you’ve read my blog, you already know how I feel about shoes!  And, finally, restrictive movement mores actually require more energy in the long run than being free to move as needed.  Does it take less energy to “sit up straight” at the dinner table for an hour, or to slouch a bit now and then?

But more than anything I’m surprised by how much our “civilized” ways act as detriments to our natural healthy state.  It’s almost like civilization is an anti-health drug in some ways.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love the USA, I like going to the movies, I sit in chairs and eat in restaurants.  But I also sit on the floor a lot, crawl on all fours, put my elbows on the table, and wear Vibram Fivefingers as much as possible.

Try something different this week – sit on the floor, roll around on your back and make “snow angels” in your carpet, put your elbows on the table at dinner, lift your elbow when you drink, eat unrefined/unprocessed foods, and wear something a little more comfortable.  See how you feel.