Recently in this space, we went over some of the stretches and activities that best complement massage therapy, especially for people who spend long portions of their day sedentary in a workplace. Massage therapy is a top resource for many who experience discomfort due to this sort of behavior, especially when combined with proper stretching and other in-office activities.
At Body Balance Massage and Float, we’re happy to provide numerous forms of massage therapy for those in this position, including deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy and many other varieties. One of the primary risks we’re helping combat for the kinds of people we mentioned above: Sitting for too long, which can lead to several negative effects if you don’t take the proper steps to balance it out. This two-part blog series will look at what some of these effects are to give you a proper understanding of why limiting these concerns is important for anyone who works in this sort of environment, whether in an office or from home.
We’ll start with some of the more serious potential risks here, one of which is Type 2 diabetes. For those not previously aware, Type 2 diabetes is the type that develops later in life, causing the body to either resist insulin (a hormone related to cells and sugar) or not produce enough insulin. It often develops over a long period of time, including those who may have it for years without knowing it.
One of the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes? Sitting for too long regularly, especially if this is done without reducing your calorie intake. This often leads to the formation of the insulin resistance that actually causes Type 2 diabetes, so this behavior has a clear connection here and should be limited wherever possible. If you cannot change your sitting habits immediately, we recommend tweaking your calorie intake.
In addition, those who sit for prolonged periods may have up to twice the risk of heart disease as those who are frequently active and exercise often. This is largely due to issues with circulation, which slows and can have major concerns long-term if you never get exercise. If you must sit for long portions of the day, at least be sure you also dedicate chunks to activity to keep the blood flowing.
Another trickle-down result of sitting for long periods: Poor posture, which tends to develop and often worsen for those in this position. This will lead to worsening neck and shoulder stiffness for many as their muscles and tendons react poorly to the stress. This is one area where massage therapy shows major benefits, but also one where you can limit your own discomfort by promoting a strong posture while seated.
For more on the risks of long periods of sitting, or to learn how massage therapy will help counter these risks, speak to the staff at Body Balance Massage and Float today.