A new study in the Journal of Applied Physiology has found that, “people who are physically inactive and sitting for a majority of the day, a 1-h bout of vigorous exercise failed to improve lipid, glucose, and insulin metabolism measured the next day. It seems that something inherent to inactivity and/or prolonged sitting makes the body resistant to the 1 h of exercise preventing the normally derived metabolic improvements following exercise.”
What does this mean in plain English? If you sit more than 13 hours per day, even an hour of exercise isn’t enough to combat the ill effects. Do you really sit for 13 hours per day… maybe: commute + desk job + commute + meals + watch a show.
But, you say, this is a chiropractic blog. Why does my chiropractor care about my sitting? In 15 years of practicing chiropractic, I see expodentially more neuro-musculo-skeletal (nerve-muscle-bone) issues from sitting than I ever have from slips, falls, or other accidents. In addition to the problems mentioned in this research, sitting all day:
Puts increased (and sometimes excessive) pressure on your low back
Leads to shortened psoas muscles (which cause low back issues)
Leads to a slumped posture if you’re not careful
Can lead to chronic pain
So what can you do? Probably not quit your job, as the title of this article suggests.
Get a standing desk, or, better yet, a treadmill desk.
Stand and move when you can.
Take a walk at lunch.
If you live in a pedestrian-friendly area, try walking or biking to work.
What ideas do you have to avoid sitting too much when you have a desk job?
Check out the research here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30763169
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0003687077900023
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous is prolonged sitting?
Sitting over 6 hours daily increases mortality risk by 40%, even with exercise. It compresses spinal discs, weakens muscles, and reduces circulation affecting overall health.
Combat desk job damage with regular chiropractic care maintaining spinal health despite occupational stress.
What are “sitting disease” symptoms?
Lower back pain, neck tension, headaches, poor posture, and decreased energy indicate sitting disease. Weight gain, digestive issues, and mood changes also result from excessive sitting.
HealthWorks addresses all aspects of sitting-related health decline through comprehensive care.
Can exercise reverse sitting damage?
Exercise helps but doesn’t fully compensate for prolonged sitting. Movement breaks every 30 minutes plus targeted exercises reduce but don’t eliminate sitting’s negative effects.
Combine workplace wellness strategies with our adjustments for complete protection against desk job damage.