Safe Exercises for the Serial Sitter

By Donna Stark

Are you a serial sitter? If your work revolves around a desk and computer or if you attend class after class at school, you probably are. And that's not good. When you spend the majority of your day sitting in a chair, your body will eventually begin to suffer. And although it's understandable that if you are feeling pain now, you may not want to work out, that's the last thing you should do. You need to move, and you need to do so before permanent damage occurs.

Safe Exercises for the Serial Sitter

When your body is in pain, our first instinct is to let it rest. But there comes a point in time when rest does not work anymore. If your body is hurting due to a lack of mobility, more immobility won't be your solution. And jumping into an intense workout won't help either. Here are some great suggestions for low-impact exercises that will keep your body moving safely and gently.

• Stretching - Taking the time to stretch every day may seem like an inconvenience, but the end results will be worth it. While you are stretching, be sure to focus on your core, hips, and lower back. Doing so will help improve your posture, ease muscle tension, and alleviate pain and discomfort.
• Swimming - One of the best low-impact exercises you can do is swimming. Although swimming can be a challenging, all-over body workout, it is easy on the joints and can reduce some of the stress on your spine. Swimming also helps to restore muscle function and improve your core strength.
• Walking - Running may not be a great option to choose when your back is in pain because the stress and force that is placed on the spine could be too much to deal with, but walking, on the other hand, is. Brisk walks can increase blood flow, improve flexibility, and strengthen muscles, which can all help minimize pain.
• Yoga - If you have never tried yoga, now may be the time to do so. Over time, yoga can help lengthen, tone, and strengthen your muscles. It supports proper alignment in the body and reduces the stress that is constantly placed on your back while at work or school. 

Work Towards a Healthy and Pain-Free Body

If you can't change the amount of sitting you do during the day, it's time to lose the pain! By improving your flexibility, strength, and alignment with the suggestions above, your pain issues will eventually start to go away and you can start looking forward to better days ahead!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Memphis, Tenn.