While irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is its own diagnosis, there might be other factors exacerbating your symptoms. Gastroenterologist Brennan Spiegel has found an overlooked factor in both IBS and other digestive issues: posture. A few years ago, in 2022, Spiegel published a paper in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. In it, he described that poor posture, including slouching, compresses internal organs, which disrupts normal functions. The extra pressure on the digestive system can increase the severity of bloating and gas common in IBS patients. Hundreds of patient testimonials support his findings, claiming symptom relief after adding abdominal and back muscle exercises into their daily lives..
Gravity Pushing Down
Dr. Spiegel peels this finding and others apart more in his forthcoming book, Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health. You can buy a copy when it releases in October 2025. Along with digestive issues, the book’s chapters delve into how gravity is constantly pressing down on us, creating that slouched posture, which eventually leads to negative gut health. Spiegel commented to Business Insider that humans were designed with respect to gravity, like a fish with water. When we slouch, then, it creates problems for the body.
So what’s the ideal posture then? The body must be upright, open, and vertically aligned. Though this doesn’t mean military-straight, because this isn’t ideal for an extended period either. It’s a balance between slouched and pin-straight that allows your body to open up and function. Keeping this posture throughout your day will promote a functioning digestive tract instead of abdominal crowding.
Ways to Maintain Posture
There are plenty of ways to maintain ideal posture, more than just buying a posture device on Amazon or forcing yourself up every few minutes. To counteract gravity, Spiegel recommends gentle and gradual exercises to decompress the spine. One of these fun and easy exercises is the “dead hang,” where you grab a pull-up bar and hang there for around 30 seconds to a minute. Not only does this promote core strength, but it also helps lengthen the spine after a long day of gravity compressing it. In addition to light exercises, Spiegel pushes for walking after meals, both to encourage an open posture and allow for better digestion as you walk.
If you work at a desk all day, then the threat of bad posture is constantly lurking around the corner. There are tools and accessories to help with that. Standing desks or elevated screens can help with a neutral spine position. Weighted vests, balance boards, and ankle weights can all aid in strengthening your posture over time. Doctors, including Spiegel, use these tactics to battle against gravity and keep their bodies in top shape for longer.
Other Opinions
It’s not just Spiegel. Other prominent health experts have linked posture and digestive health. For instance, Dr. Frank Lipman expands on the topic and just how much gravity affects. Maintaining correct posture can reduce back and neck pain, improve breathing, circulation, mental health, and, of course, aid digestion. Each of these symptoms can make a long day even longer, so taking the time to stretch yourself out throughout the day is crucial.
Breathing techniques wouldn’t hurt either. Surprisingly, employing mindful breathing and being aware of your posture can reduce compression and increase the diaphragmatic massage on the intestines, which is an important part of successful gut health. BreatheWorks stresses the importance of breathing, as shallow breathing and poor posture create a restrictive environment. Gas, bloating, reflux, and more are just by-products of how you choose to breathe and sit throughout the day.
Finding Your Best Posture
As the evidence continues piling up, consider adopting better posture practices within your daily life to lessen digestive issues. Whether it’s you or a family member, taking the time to include exercises, walks, ergonomic furniture, and mindfulness in your daily life can turn into positive results. Dr. Spiegel stresses the importance of understanding gravity’s effect on your body and taking measures to enhance your health and possibly even improve your longevity.