Sitting All Day Is Linked To Back And Knee Pain, With Men More Likely To Suffer |
Sitting All Day Is Linked To Back And Knee Pain, With Men More Likely To Suffer
Over time, this common habit can also lead to posture issues. Here’s what experts say you should do to protect yourself.
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You may want to stand up and do a few stretches while reading this.
Research has already established that prolonged sitting is really harmful to our health. It’s linked to conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
But what if it’s also the reason for your back pain or that pesky knee pain that pops up every time you try to jog?
While there are multiple causes of back and knee pain, sitting all day at a desk job may be a major factor, too. Here’s what to know:
Sitting all day can cause tight hip flexors
“A lot depends on how you sit, but essentially, prolonged sitting puts your iliopsoas, which is your primary hip flexor, into a shortened position,” said Dr. Michael Fredericson, a professor of sports medicine and the director of Stanford Lifestyle Medicine in California.
Your hip flexors are a group of muscles that allow you to raise your knee. You also use these muscles when you step up and bend forward.
“So if you’re staying in that position for seven, eight hours a day, then it becomes chronically tight into that position, and you get what we call passive muscle stiffness,” Fredericson said.
This isn’t only a problem for people who sit all day; it’s also common among runners and cyclists, said Brian Kracyla, a physical........