The unexpected harm of the habit of sitting cross-legged

When sitting, eating, drinking coffee, . I often cross my legs. This is a habit I have from my childhood and perhaps many others also have this habit.

Sitting cross-legged is good for health

Crossing your legs can cause back and neck pain, even disc herniation

Picture 1 of The unexpected harm of the habit of sitting cross-legged

In the most perfect condition, the sitting posture is facing forward, both feet are perpendicular to the ground. However, this perfect action is very rare and there are many different ways to set foot when sitting. Most of us when sitting often do not allocate a balanced way, but tend to be more inclined, or cross-legged, and then, only one leg suffers weight.

Picture 2 of The unexpected harm of the habit of sitting cross-legged Correct sitting posture

According to orthopedic and physiotherapist Vivian Eisenstadt, cross-legging can cause back pain and neck pain. She said that when she caught this foot on the other leg, her hips would twisted and her pelvis would be turned. The pelvis is the foundation to support the spine, so putting unnecessary pressure on the pelvis also means that the musculoskeletal and muscular systems in the neck, middle and lower back are also under pressure. When this process lasts, those areas will have problems.

Picture 3 of The unexpected harm of the habit of sitting cross-legged

Dr Eisenstadt said: "This action is done for many days, weeks is one of the reasons for the pain in the neck and back, even causing disc herniation. " Therefore, although Having a perfect posture to sit is extremely difficult, but she recommends keeping individual knees and eyes perpendicular to the peristalsis whenever possible to protect spinal health .

It may be related to spider veins - a precursor to varicose veins

Picture 4 of The unexpected harm of the habit of sitting cross-legged
Spider veins cause aesthetics and anxiety for the affected person

Spider veins are small blood vessels about mm to several centimeters that can be seen as spider webs beneath the surface of the skin. This makes people feel worried, lack of confidence when communicating, . due to aesthetic factors. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, about 55% of women and 45% of men in the US are suffering from this condition.

When it comes to the cause of spider veins, the medical community is divided into two groups. Some doctors argue that spider veins are derived from genetic genes, pregnancy, sunlight and standing or sitting for long periods of time. Another group, including cardiologist at Cedars Sinai Medical Center - Hooman Madyoon - thinks spider veins are related to the habit of sitting cross-legged .

He explained that cross-legged pressure increases the pressure placed on the leg veins that carry blood to the heart. This foot pressure exerted over the other leg will prevent blood flow, thereby weakening and damaging the veins underfoot. If these veins are damaged or weakened, blood can build up, causing the veins to swell and form veins of spider veins.

Cross-legged cause hypertension

Picture 5 of The unexpected harm of the habit of sitting cross-legged
Artwork

You may be surprised, but it is true. Keeping this leg close to the other leg at the knee position will temporarily cause blood pressure to rise . Why? Often the blood in the leg will be pumped back to the heart in the opposite direction of gravity and this has been a relatively " hard work " for the body. But when you catch this foot on the other leg, the blood will be harder to pump. Therefore, the body must have high blood pressure so that blood can return to the heart.

You usually won't feel any symptoms when blood pressure increases due to foot restraint, but if this keeps repeating often, it will be a chronic health problem. Therefore, if you want to sit long without hypertension? Don't catch this foot on the other leg.

Adverse effects on the nerves in the legs

Picture 6 of The unexpected harm of the habit of sitting cross-legged

Crossing your legs not only causes your blood pressure to rise, but it also affects your veins and nerves under your feet, feet, etc. Stopping your feet on the other leg at the knee position puts pressure on the rope. peroneal nerve. These are large nerves located below the knee, running along the outside of each leg and this is the cause of the lower limb disorders when it is damaged. Cross-leg pressure can cause temporary paralysis of the muscles in the legs and feet, making the knee unable to rotate and creating a "numbness like a pin."

It is possible that these feelings are temporary, but according to Dr. Richard Graves, if it keeps recurring, chronic diseases related to the leg nerves will appear. He said that if there is a habit of sitting cross-legged, relaxing your legs for 2 to 4 minutes can minimize this risk. However, he recommends giving up this habit completely: "The best advice is not to sit cross-legged to ensure your health."