We spend about 91% of every day sitting.
Sad, right?
Sitting compresses the spine, weakens core muscles, tightens hip-flexor muscles which rotate the hips backward and erases your natural low back curve, while pushing your 10-pound head forward.
Extended sitting (and using a keyboard) causes headaches, migraines, stress, low back pain, carpal tunnel and more.
For every inch forward your head is, you put 10 lbs of pressure on your upper back muscles.
Americans spend $50 billion a year on care for back pain, much of which is low back pain and neck pain caused by this activity…or lack of activity.
So, if you were wondering how to stay fit while you sit, sitting is not the answer. It is impossible.
Five Ways To Combat The Effects Of All-Day Sitting
1. Buy a standing desk.
2. Exercise. Studies show our body requires at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. That’s 30 minutes, 5 days a week, of walking. Take a 10 minute walk in the morning, another during lunch, and one in the evening. Or sign up for Functional Movement Training.
3. Buy an ergonomic chair or sit on an exercise ball. The up and down motion pumps your discs and the lack of a back support requires you to roll your hips forward and sit up straight.
4. Elevate your monitor, so you don’t strain your neck up or down
5. Get out of your box – stretch your arms up, touch your toes, squat down, and repeat this every half hour.
TAKEAWAY: Sitting may be the new smoking. You can easily combat this trend with good ergonomics and frequent movement.
Our offer to you:
If you’d like to come in, see one of our doctors to discuss how Chiropractic Care or Functional Medicine might support your body, then you can do so by claiming our $19 new patient special. Simply select the location you want to visit, give us a call, and we’ll look forward to meeting you!
