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Long Sitting Risks: Back Pain, Varicose Veins, Cognition

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the risks of sitting for too long without any kind of stretching or stimulating activity. This sort of behavior, which is common among those who work desk jobs or certain other vocations, can lead not only to pain and discomfort, but also to several legitimate long-term health risks.

At Body Balance Massage and Float, we’re happy to provide several solutions that assist those who have to sit for long periods, from massage therapy options like deep tissue massage to float therapy and several other services. We know certain jobs or lifestyles dictate much of your posture and ability to move around, and we’re here to help for those who are unable to be as active as they’d like. Here are some of the other issues that may arise if you’re too sedentary and do not look into solutions like massage therapy.

Back or Hip Pain

Different positions we spend time in place pressure on varying areas of the body, and sitting is known to place pressure on the spine. Rather than the entire body absorbing the stress of movements and your weight, sitting transfers most of that weight to the spine, particularly the lower parts of it.

In addition, the hip flexors will often be tightened by sitting for long periods at once, as will the hamstrings. In many situations, this kind of pain manifests itself as back pain even if it’s originating from the hips or lower areas. Simply standing at least once an hour to remove this pressure for a short period of time will go a long way.

Varicose Vein Concerns

If you’re unfamiliar with them, varicose veins refer to ugly, visible blue or off-colored veins that pop out from the skin, usually on the legs or lower-body areas. They’re brought on by poor circulation – another area that can be cased by long periods of sitting.

Especially if you sit in poor posture that limits blood flow to your legs, these can be a major concern. Slowed circulation makes it harder for blood to cycle back up from the lower parts of your legs and to the rest of the body, which can lead to varicose veins, swollen ankles and even a condition called deep vein thrombosis.

Brain, Oxygen and Cognition

Finally, prolonged sitting will limit the amount of oxygen and blood that flow upward to the brain, mostly due to slowed circulation. For many, this actually leads to limitations in cognitive ability, which is a major detraction for those who work a job that requires their attention.

For more on the risks of prolonged periods of sitting, or to learn about how massage therapy benefits you in this area, speak to the staff at Body Balance Massage and Float today.

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