Are you sitting correctly?

Modernisation has changed our lifestyle. Nowadays, we are sitting more and longer. Is this affecting your posture? Does prolonged sitting impact your health?

The demands of our work, social media, games online, homework has bred a new generation of people who are glued to their chair and computers. In all honesty, you probably spend more time facing your monitor than you do with your spouse or family.

Did you know that this sedentary lifestyle is now labelled as “sitting is the new smoking?” Researchers have found and continue to find evidence that prolonged sitting increases the risk of developing several serious illnesses like various types of cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Besides, sitting causes biomechanical disturbances, low back pain, a multitude of other health problems are linked to prolonged sitting. The way you sit also effects not only the health of your spine but your general health as well.

Bad posture has been known to cause many problems and for years, it has been conventional wisdom that poor posture causes scoliosis. Unfortunately this is not always true. Studies have shown that bad posture does not cause scoliosis however, if you have scoliosis or are prone to spinal deformities, your posture may worsen your spinal curvature.

Prolonged sitting also causes a condition known as Piriformis Syndrome. Not many people are aware of this condition. In a study at a regional hospital, 45 of 750 patients with LBP (Low Back Pain) were found to have piriformis syndrome. Another author estimated that the incidence of piriformis syndrome in patients with sciatica is 6%. The female-to-male incidence ratio of piriformis syndrome is 6:1.

Symptoms range from chronic pain in the buttock area, and pain may radiate to the lower limbs. It can create discomfort to sitting and pain may worsen with walking or squatting. This condition can be misdiagnosed or mistaken as sciatica or even disc herniation (commonly known as “slipped disc”). If you are experiencing lower back discomfort or tingling/numbness into your arms or legs, other conditions may be at play.

Prolonged sitting can cause muscle or nerve irritation. This can elicit pain but our body is quite resilient. Did you know that most conditions and pathologies to the body are asymptomatic?

Occupational health and safety studies have recommended standing from your seat every 30 minutes, take a small walk or even performing some exercises whilst sitting. Some office settings do offer standing desks and incorporate other ergonomical ideas.

Are you facing any of these problems? Are you noticing more discomfort or pain with prolonged sitting, walking or standing? Are your symptoms affecting your daily activities? Not all pain are the same. Specific management and treatment must be catered for every indivdual. If you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact our centre. Our consultant, Dr. Anthony Fong and his team of practitioners are available can address your questions.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact:

Spine Body Center

APL Tower 25th Floor, Unit T3, Jl. S. Parman Kav. 28  Jakarta Barat 11470

Phone :021 2933 9295 or  visit: http://ift.tt/1KU81gJ

 

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