Too much sitting may be detrimental to your health. Although sitting is unavoidable and necessary, doing it all day long can definitely take a toll on your well-being. Sitting for prolonged periods can put a strain on your muscles, slow down your body’s circulation, and lead to poor posture-related neck and back pain.
If you work a desk job you should take breaks that include standing and walking around to stretch out your muscles and get your blood circulating. If you have neck and back pain from regular sitting, a chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Gaithersburg, MD, can provide safe and natural treatments to alleviate your discomfort.
The Downside of Prolonged Sitting
The human body needs movement to maintain adequate physical, mental, and emotional health. Ideally, human beings should only sit while resting. Sitting at a desk, in a car, or at home for extended lengths of time can contribute to weakening of your muscles and bones. You also may put on excess weight with a sedentary lifestyle which can lead to a myriad of health problems such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more.
Sitting uses less energy than standing or moving around. Consequently, you don’t burn off excess fat. This fat can accumulate around your waist, stomach, thighs, and glutes over time. If you suffer from arthritis, excess weight may add to your pain as it puts additional pressure on the joints.
Solutions for the Negative Effects of Sitting
You would do well to stop sitting so much by taking frequent breaks to stand, stretch, and move around—whether you are at home or on the job. Stand up and walk around after about half an hour of sitting, even if it’s only for a few minutes. When you talk or text on the phone, do it while standing. Do some stretching, strengthening, or and mindful movement exercises while you watch TV. Ask your employer for a desk that offers both sitting and standing options. Less sitting and more motion can make a positive difference in both your physical and mental health.
Chiropractic Care Can Help
In the modern age where lifestyle considerations cause you to sit a lot, you may benefit from regular chiropractic care more than you realize. Since the human body was designed to move, not sit, problem areas manifest from too much sitting. Some problem areas that the chiropractors at AmeriWell Clinics, may help with include:
- Upper and lower back pain
- Arm, neck, and shoulder pain
- Hip pain
- Poor postural alignment
- Sciatica
One of the most significant ways our chiropractic doctors help is by encouraging you to adopt a healthier lifestyle and find new ways to add movement to your daily routine. Please contact AmeriWell Clinics if you would like to consult with us on how to improve your lifestyle. We’ll sit down and discuss your concerns and let you know how chiropractic techniques can help. Call us today.
Thanks to AmeriWell Clinics for their insight into the health impacts of sitting too much.
