hover background

Mar 24
2016

We sit a lot. Too much, in fact. Many of us drive to work, sit at a desk for hours on end, and drive back home where we sit on the couch until it’s time to go to bed. That is basically an entire day of just sitting. “The dangers of sitting” might sound silly, but sitting actually comes with serious health hazards.

So what exactly are the dangers of sitting?

Heart damage.

Prolonged periods of sitting have been associated with damage to our hearts. Sitting all day, every day can lead to high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol because the sedentary lifestyle allows more fatty acids to clog the heart. The more you sit, the higher your risk for cardiovascular disease.

Spine damage.

Damage to the spine is another one of the dangers of sitting. When we sit for too long we tend to forget about posture and eventually, we are slumped over our desks. This puts us at greater risk for herniated discs and neck problems.

Muscle degeneration.

Sitting for long periods of time can also lead to muscle degeneration. When you slump over your desk you are not using your abdominal muscles to keep your posture, so too much sitting can lead to a flabby midsection. Sitting also minimizes the range of motion in your hips because you aren’t stretching your hip flexors enough throughout the day.

Poor circulation.

Poor circulation can also result from prolonged sitting. When we sit for hours at a time circulation slows allowing fluid to pool in our legs. This can lead to varicose veins or even blood clots.

The dangers of sitting affect almost every part of our body. And the only way to avoid them is by getting up and moving. You need to get your muscles moving and your blood circulating to prevent inflammation.  Consider signing up for an exercise program to make sure your body gets plenty of exercise.  The more exercise you do, the better you’ll compensate for your days spent sitting down. For some of us, we have no choice but to sit at a desk all day. If that is the case for you, make sure you’re sitting correctly in order to avoid the dangers of sitting. If you’re really determined to avoid the dangers of sitting, consider investing in a standing desk.

Combat the dangers of sitting by scheduling an appointment with Above & Beyond Physical Therapy!  We can work with you to design a physical therapy program for you so you can get just the right amount of exercise to fit your lifestyle needs.