Why it hurts
Prolonged and frequent sitting can tighten and shorten your hip flexors, one of the strongest muscle groups in the body. This muscle group connects the lower limb, pelvis, and abdomen. So over time, tight hip flexors can result in incorrect posture, knee and shin pain, back pain, and even foot or shoulder pain.
If you have leg or back pain, your tight hips and siting too much could be to blame.
What you can do
Exercise doesn’t necessarily balance the effects of sitting all day, so swap sitting for moving and standing as much as possible. If you work at a desk all day, here are a few ways to change your workplace habits to get in more movement.
- Stand up when you take a phone call or eat lunch.
- Elevate your desk with a standing desk if you work at a desk for long periods of time. If that’s not possible, try a high table or countertop.
- Walk laps around your office or building during meetings instead of sitting in a conference room.
- Take the stairs instead of relying on the elevator.
- Park on the edge of the parking lot so you get in a few more steps going to and from your car.
A deeper problem
Some pain could be caused by issues with your hip bones, not just the muscles around them. If constant joint pain is limiting your everyday life, it may be time to consider surgery.
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