A GP has revealed that there are seven health conditions people should be wary of if they have bad posture. While millions of Brits spend their workday at a desk, not everyone understands the impact poor posture can have on health, according to the doctor.

In a social media post, the GP said she commonly sees people suffering from painful symptoms due to poor posture. The warning was shared by Dr Leen Tannous, an NHS and private GP, who posts videos for her 35k followers on Instagram as @Doctor.leen.

In a recent video, she wrote: "Most people think posture is just about looking 'upright'." However, as the expert explained, poor posture can significantly impact your health.

• You're more likely to die within 10 years if you struggle to do 10-second test


• Dunelm's 'spellbinding' £10 rainbow lamp is 'perfect for cosy evenings'

Dr Leen said: "In clinic, I see real symptoms caused by poor posture every single day. Headaches. Jaw pain. Nerve symptoms. Digestive issues. Chronic back pain. Your posture is a daily health input, not an aesthetic choice."

In her video, the GP continued: "Seven conditions I commonly see with poor posture. Tension headaches and migraines. Neck pain and cervical disk issues. Upper back and shoulder pain. Jaw pain and teeth grinding. Nerve compression. Digestive discomfort. Chronic low back pain."

Fortunately, Dr Leen said it's possible to improve posture with 'small corrections'. She explained: "Small corrections done consistently make a huge difference."

While you should always speak to a GP about any health concerns, several NHS Foundation Trusts offer advice on improving posture. For instance, the South West Yorkshire Partnership Teaching NHS Foundation Trust shares a PDF 'posture advice sheet' that people can download online.

The Trust says: "Neck and back pain can be caused due to bad posture, causing over stretching or tightening of the ligaments and tissues surrounding the joints in the spine. The muscular strain can lead to tiredness along with pain. If you improve your posture, you can improve the condition of your spine, joints and muscles.

"Many things affect posture, including work, hobbies, habits, general fitness and health. These include spending long periods of time working at computer systems, prolonged lifting activities, and those who are tall might have a tendency to round shoulders in an attempt to become the same size as others."

• Sit back in the chair so your lower back is supported


• Sit upright as if you have a string attached to the top of your head


• Let your shoulders relax down and slightly back


• Don't cross your legs or lean to one side


• Keep your feet flat on the floor, and your thighs should be supported

• Stand upright as if you have a string attached to the top of your head


• Keep knees relaxed


• Spread weight evenly on both feet


• Keep shoulders square rather than rounding forward


• You should be aware of a small hollow in your lower back