As modern technology continues to advance, it seems that people are staying seated more and more.
With tablets and smartphones such a big part of everyday life, many of the physical activities are completed without having to move much at all.
It is not uncommon for one of our AICA Atlanta Chiropractors to treat someone whose daily routine consist of getting out of bed, sitting in a car on the way to work, sitting at a desk all day, sitting in the car on the way home and then sitting the rest of the evening playing with their smart phone or watching television.
The Trouble with Sitting
Many people will look at the previous paragraph and say they have no alternatives to the daily commute and inactive work day.
This may be true, but excessive sitting is hard on your back, and it is also bad for your overall health. Many visits to an Atlanta Chiropractor are scheduled to deal with back pain and related back issues, and too much sitting is one of the main offenders.
Even if your chair feels comfy, and has been deemed “ergonomic,” it is still a bad idea to maintain a static posture for a prolonged period. Even the most innovative office chairs can’t reverse the force of gravity.
Aside from back pain, prolonged sitting will tighten up your hips and hamstrings and flatten out your butt, leaving you prone to injury when you exercise. Sitting too much also promotes more serious health issues; such as increased risk of blood clots, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and weight gain.
Research has shown that these health risks aren’t improved with moderate exercise if you sit for too long. You have to take matters into your hands and start moving more throughout the day.
What to Do If You Have a Sedentary Job
The reason sitting too much is harmful to your spine is because when you sit you’re putting almost twice the stress on your spine as you would if you were in a standing position.
If you’re the type to hunch forward slightly in your chair, the problem becomes compounded. When you have your shoulders forward, your back makes “C” shape, eliminating the natural curve at the bottom of the spine.
If you are among the many thousands of individuals with sedentary jobs, you can make a few tweaks to your routine to protect your back and keep more serious ailments associated with too much sitting at bay.
First, try your best not to slouch. Sit up straight with your shoulders back and maintain your natural arch in the lower back. Next, get up and out of your chair at least once every 30 minutes.
Take a walk around the office, do some light stretches or just stand, but make sure to get up. If you have access to a standing desk, use it for part of the day.
The key is to take short movement breaks every day, so your ligaments, tendons, and muscles stay flexible and loose.
If you have a sore back from too much sitting, a visit to your Atlanta Chiropractor will help get things back in balance and remove your pain.
Contact our team at AICA Atlanta today for help.