Sitting down after a long day is refreshing for tired feet; a long day of sitting down, on the other hand, can wreak havoc on the body. This is especially true for those with sedentary jobs who are required to sit on the same office chairs, face the same computer monitors, and hunch over the same small desks for many years at a time. While this work situation is an unavoidable reality for a lot of people, many are unaware of the silent damage they may be incurring from it.
In an article on Mashable, leading neck and back pain expert Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., explained how extended sitting affects the spine: “When you sit, you distort the natural curve of the spine, which means your back muscles have to do something to hold your back in shape because you’re no longer using the natural curves of the spine to lift yourself up against gravity.” This distortion can lead to a host of serious health consequences such as herniated discs, extensive body pain, and chronic joint pain, all of which stem from constant pressure, stress, and strain on the spine and back.
To relieve pain and aches resulting from an inactive workday, experts recommend some simple remedies for those whose jobs require them to continuously sit for several hours. For example, avoid pulling muscles by periodically standing up and stretching for 20 minutes, or place a small pillow between one’s lower back and the chair to help it curve inward. For additional tips and treatment, visiting your Temecula / Murrieta chiropractor is a great way to relieve pain and improve posture. An experienced chiropractor will be able to adjust the spine properly, relieve tension, and restore balance.
Another important advantage of chiropractic care is that it goes beyond simple pain relief. Murrieta Chiropractic’s Rayce Mayers, a Principled Chiropractor in Temecula / Murrieta, insists that it is not enough to only provide short-term solutions to back pain but it is just as important to educate patients on wellness lifestyle, nutrition, and body composition. For people with sedentary jobs, applying these changes can help reduce the negative effects of sitting down while improving overall health.
(Source: Why Sitting Too Much Is Dangerous, Mashable)