More than half of us sit for more than 6 hours everyday and the majority of those sitting about aren't being lazy, they are working hard at the office.
Working at a desk or in an office all day means you could be prone to short and long term pain and health risks. You may be already have noticed some of the effects of sitting down all day.
1. Weak legs and glutes
Sitting all day means you aren't using your lower body muscles and can lead to muscle atrophy (a weakening of the muscles) which places you at a higher risk of injury to your lower back.
2. Tight hips and back
Along with the risk of injury to your back, sitting causes your hip flexors to shorten and become tighter, leaning over a desk or computer can put pressure on your spinal chord leading to disc compression which can cause considerable pain.
3. Stiff shoulders and neck
We have all been there at the end of the day in the office, instinctively holding and rubbing your neck. This is because sitting and leaning over a computer puts a strain on the neck and shoulder muscles causing them to tense and strain. Add the stress of your job to the mix and you could end up with a dysfunction in the neck and shoulder area that can cause severe, prolonged periods of pain that just won't shift.
4. Gaining weight
Stands to reason if you are not moving then you are not maintaining your weight, this can lead to obesity which opens up a whole array of serious health concerns. But even those who exercise regularly are at the risk of metabolic syndrome which increases your risk of serious health conditions.
So what can you do to help lower these health concerns?
Well, if you're not in a position to quit your job and get a new one as national trust park ranger, there are a few things you are able to do:
Get out of your chair at least every 30 minutes and walk around. Even just a few minutes movement can be enough.
Stretch those vulnerable muscles when you move - this lengthens the muscles that are tightening up during the sedentary periods.
You should be receiving regular massage therapy. This helps to lengthen the muscles affected, increases your blood flow and stimulates your body. It helps relax the body, so the tension build up from stress is reduced. As the muscles become more relaxed, this helps with postural imbalances preventing more damage to the body. More importantly, it helps decrease that pain and stiffness in the muscles and helps any dysfunction associated with straining injury.
If you can relate and you're nodding your head while reading this, or worse, you've got a firm grip on your stiff neck and need some help getting back to your usual self then we are here to help you.
We see more than 100 clients a month preventing and correcting their health concerns and managing their pain. Just click our consultation offer below and see if we are able to help you live a more healthier without pain.
It's going to change your life.
