How many studies need to come out and say “do not sit all day” (the most recent one is listed below)?  How much money and research needs to be done before people learn they have to get up and move periodically throughout the day?  More and more documents are being published albeit as we sit in front of our computers because the public is just not listening.  Being sedentary has created a public hazard and a potential future strain on our economy and ultimately on our health care facilities.

Years ago drivers were forced to get out of their cars to make phone calls, get a bite to eat or a drink to quench their thirst.  Years ago, we were forced to get up from our desks because EVERYTHING was not available at the push of a button and conversation was still had at the water cooler and not through abbreviated letters in a text or an emoji!    Years ago, we did not have ergonomic chairs that enabled us to sit longer and more comfortably.

So it should not come as a shock that we find ourselves with musculoskeletal problems; joints, discs and muscle issues that come from sitting too long.  Less obvious complications deal with blood flow and nerve supply to body parts that are impaired with increased pressure and irritation causing pain, numbness and tingling.  Needless to say, the byproducts of these issues are unending!   Although millions of dollars are spent in fighting so many different diseases and conditions caused or complicated by being sedentary, it does not take us reaching into our pockets to GET UP AND MOVE!

In the time it took me to write this brief article, my back is getting tighter, my hamstrings are starting to cramp and my shoulders / neck are getting stiff… I am cutting this short.  You get it.  I have to GET UP AND MOVE!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Sok

http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Abstract/publishahead/Effect_of_Prolonged_Sitting_and_Breaks_in_Sitting.97944.aspx