The Health Risks of Leading A Too Sedentary Life

Posted by Dinesh Kumar on January 27th, 2022

For many Americans, sitting is part of our job. Yet it can have some serious consequences for your health.

Being too sedentary and sitting can raise your risk of uterine, colon, and breast cancers. Lack of exercise and a sedentary life doubles your risk of cardiovascular disease and death, according to the World Health Organization.

Sitting too long can have a real impact on your musculoskeletal health. When you sit too much, the core muscles that support your back begin to weaken. When the muscles are weak, you\'re more likely to experience strained muscles and muscle spasms. Muscle imbalances due to lack of exercise can pull your spine out of alignment, causing chronic back pain and reduced range of motion.

“Having a balance between movement and rest throughout your day is important. If you’re sitting a lot, especially on a soft surface like a couch or in a car, you’ll sometimes want to support your back with a small pillow or specific lumbar support,” said Dr. Kristin Kolesar Fabris, president of the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island and a chiropractor at Be Well Chiropractic in Providence, Rhode Island.

If you not currently seeing a chiropractor and want to explore how chiropractic can help, you can utilize the “Find A Doctor” feature on the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island’s website, www.richiro.org.