How much time do you spend sitting in a day? Between computer work, commuting, watching TV, etc., could you be sitting your way to an early grave?  Many jobs require sitting in a chair all day, which means some individuals are sitting 15 hours a day or more because of work and/or a sedentary lifestyle. This practice has been called “the new smoking” due to its negative impact on the body’s health.  Learn what excessive sitting can do to your body as part of your ongoing education on pain management and general wellness.

Why Is Sitting in a Chair All Day Bad for Your Health?

Circulation & Heart Problems

Moving often throughout the day allows blood to flow easily throughout your body, however, sitting for prolonged periods of time interferes with efficient circulation and allows pooling of the blood, which can cause blood clots to form.  It can lead to varicose veins or spider veins.  As these problems heighten, so does vascular stress and a greater risk of heart disease.

Diabetes

Excessive sitting also makes you more likely to develop Diabetes. Although the cause is not fully understood, one possible reason is that relaxed muscles use very little glucose from the blood, and this can change how the body reacts to insulin, the hormone that transfer glucose from the blood to the cells. Your diabetes risk increases with a sedentary lifestyle.

Weight Gain

Sitting for hours every day requires little energy, therefore your body does not burn many calories like it would during walking, standing, or engaging in any other physical activity. If you do not burn significant calories every day, the food you consume gets stored as fat instead of used as fuel. You may gain weight as a result.

Those who live mainly sedentary lifestyles not only risk obesity but also the many problems associated with it, including heart disease.

Neck & Back Pain

Spinal disc compression in the back and neck can occur from frequent sitting, especially if your posture is slouched or otherwise compromised. Back and neck pain from muscle strain often occur as a result and can eventually cause more serious problems such as herniated discs.

While pain management, such as massage therapy and physical therapy, can relieve muscle strain and other causes of neck and back pain, if the problems progress, more invasive treatments such as surgery may be necessary depending on the severity of the issue.

Additional Illness Risks

Too much daily sitting increases your risk for other illnesses, including dementia, increased anxiety, and shortened life span. Furthermore, studies indicate the risk of colon and endometrial cancer increases by 8% and 10%, respectively, for every additional two hours of sitting per day.

Our Bodies are Made for Movement.

Increase your activity level if you sit often and look for health management techniques at Hands-On Health Massage & Physical Therapy. Specializing in customized pain management services since 2003, these High Point, NC, professionals offer Swedish and deep tissue massages, trigger point therapy, and stress management services among others. Call (336) 906-2040 today to make an appointment or find more information online.