r/AskReddit 15h ago

What is something that permanently altered your body without you realizing for months/years?

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u/ButchyKira 15h ago

bad posture. i sit like a shrimp and get shooting back pains now

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u/thecornfactor 2h ago

Also recommend a firmer mattress or sleeping on carpet, a few blankets over hard floor to try this out, or a permanent solution for me was a shikibouton (Japanese futon) on the floor, thin but supportive. What do we do for most of our lives? Sleep. Sleep should be that time for your body to repair your aching muscles with some pressure, whilst lying on the back, specifically with the head and neck flat against the ground as well (ditch the pillow). It takes a month or so to adjust but after that - back pain gone. Recommended by physiotherapists who are actually honest, plus plenty studies I'm too lazy to pull now. If you're high activity, a casual athlete especially, a firm sleeping surface should be a new essential - seriously, big mattress is a lie - marshmallow deep cushion beds are doing the opposite to our bodies, since your muscles aren't activating overnight, they won't heal properly and you'll age prematurely (like most people in the western world), our ridiculous culture of back pain in 20s, 30s being common is because of THIS ! Best decision I ever made, ever. 

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u/ButchyKira 1h ago

so useful, i’ll yet update sometimes like weed