3 Common Ways of Sitting That May Contribute to Back Pain
Posted on: 8 March 2017
The manner in which you sit can have a close connection with the health of your back. While you likely know that sitting in a slouched posture can be detrimental to your back health and may lead to pain, you might not realize that a number of other positions may also put your back health at risk. If you're suffering from back pain, it's a good idea to see a chiropractor right away.
In addition to providing standard services, your chiropractor can also recommend changes to your lifestyle that may improve your back health. If you frequently sit in one of the following three manners, it may also be time to change your posture.
Feet Crossed at the Ankles
It may seem innocent enough to sit with your legs stretched out in front of you and your feet crossed at the ankles, but this position can be detrimental to your back health. When you sit in this position, you'll often notice that your backside begins to slide forward in your chair. This means that your back will no longer be positioned upright and supported by the chair's back support. Instead, your lower back may be significantly slouched, which can result in pain over time.
Sitting on One Foot
Many people enjoy the feeling of bending one leg and tucking their foot under their backside. This position can be a comfortable alternative to sitting in an upright posture, especially if you're seated for long periods of time. However, this position can also be harmful. When you sit in this manner, your foot is typically under either side of your backside. This means that your backside isn't square, and when it's not square, neither is your back. Your lower back can easily get bent from prolonged periods of sitting in this position.
Sitting Too Upright
If you're making a real effort to sit upright, you may find that you're doing so in an exaggerated manner. Instead of allowing your back to be gently supported by your chair's back support, you may inch forward in the chair so that your body isn't touching the back support. In your effort to maintain an upright spine with your shoulders held back, you back actually sit with a dramatic curve to your lower back—after all, curving your back inward is better than allowing it to curve outward in a slouched manner, you may rationalize. Like other poor postures, being in this position can lead to back pain.
To learn how you can get rid of back pain, visit resources like http://www.fulkchiropractic.com.
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