Whether in the office or working from home, sitting for the entire workday has become the norm. It’s easy not to notice you’ve been sitting for the whole day until it’s time to log off for the day, but sitting for that long of a period can have massive implications on your health. Dr. Landon Crowder, PT, DPT, OCS, Clinic Director of our Denham Springs Clinic, explained to Eat This, Not That! the outcomes sitting for that long can cause.
You May Experience Neck Pain
While working, you may not notice your posture deteriorating throughout the day. While focusing on your work, it’s common to round your spine, causing bad posture and pain throughout your neck and shoulders.
“Most ‘postural abnormalities’ are flexible, meaning they are changeable with conscious effort,” says Dr. Crowder. “However, this may increase the likelihood of this habitual position becoming stiffer or rigid in the long term. Standing and moving more throughout the day decreases this risk.”
You May Lose Muscle Mass
“Normal age-related muscle atrophy (sarcopenia) leads to males and females losing 3% to 5% of muscle mass per decade after 30. This increases post-menopause in females and males, especially after 60,” explains Crowder.
The best way to avoid losing your muscle is through a nutritious diet and performing some kind of physical activity every day. “If [you] never challenge [your muscles], your body decides it doesn’t need to devote the resources required to maintain muscle mass because [your] body considers muscle mass non-essential,” explains Dr. Crowder. “This leads to the ‘normal’ decrease in muscle mass we see. The less active we are, the more rapid this decline is.”
You May Put on Weight
“Moving from standing for eight hours to sitting for eight hours would nearly account for a one-pound gain in fat/week if all other variables were equal,” says Dr Crowder. “If you are trying to lose weight, it is almost impossible (not to mention not healthy) to eat few enough calories to offset a very sedentary lifestyle. Increasing activity and muscle mass significantly improves weight loss efforts as muscle is very metabolically active and burns far more calories throughout the day, even at rest.”
Physical Therapy Services Near Baton Rouge, LA
Sitting for long hours can take a toll on your health, but the good news is you can take action to counteract its effects. From improving posture and reducing neck pain to maintaining muscle mass and managing weight, small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference.
If prolonged sitting has left you feeling stiff, achy, or inactive, rest assured that our expert physical therapists at Baton Rouge Physical Therapy are here to help. We provide personalized strategies to improve your mobility, strength, and overall wellness. Don’t let sitting control your health—take the first step towards a healthier you by scheduling an appointment with us today!
