SITTING IS THE NEW SMOKING 🚬
Sitting is the new smoking! Yes, this is a saying we have in the world of Physical Therapy. 2020 has been the year of spending innumerable hours sitting at ergonomically incorrect positions leading to an an increase in incidences of low back and neck pain.
The Dramatic Effect of Pandemic Makeshift Desk Setups
You may think "sitting is the new smoking" is being overdramatic. It's serious, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has so many of us working or learning from home. We have makeshift home setups at the dining room table or even worse, we lay on the couch or slouched in a bed. Not only do these positions effect physical structure but also promote postures of emotional withdrawal. Sulking postures as in lying in bed for hours during the daytime with a computer balancing on your lap contributes to positions that effect cognition and emotional well being. I have had numerous patients tell me that their kids spend hours in their beds throughout the school day making them more sluggish and withdrawn.
Postural Stress and Poor Seat Design Creates Back Pain
An estimated 50% of desk workers and students suffer from some form of back pain typically related to poor seat design and sitting positions. The health of the spine and our trunk is directly impacted by postural stress. Muscles must work to counteract the effects of gravity and to combat any adverse consequences imposed by more than a few minutes of stagnant positions.
Listen When Your Body Fidgets
Fidgeting is actually the bodies natural defense against postural stress when discomfort is rising.
Crossing and uncrossing the legs re-distributes the pressure on the gluteals. Blood pumps through stagnant tissue by doing this.
Where is your desk set up? Have you made any adjustments? What about your kids’ set ups? Are they sitting in chairs appropriately fitted for them? Or are they working from their beds? Comment below 👇🏼
Telehealth ergonomic consultations are always available! Reach out to me if you need help! I’m here for you!