We’ve heard sitting for
too long isn’t good for your health. Now experts say standing for long periods
of time can be harmful to your body as well.
A new study in the American Journal
of Epidemiology determined that the physical demands of standing on
the job could lead to serious issues like back
pain, knee pain, leg pain, foot
and ankle pain, cramps, varicose veins, and even clogged arteries
and heart disease.
In fact, the study which
profiled 7,230 people over the course of 12 years, suggests that those with
standing jobs are about twice as likely to develop heart disease over others
who sit down on the job.
The increase in heart
disease could be the result of blood pooling low in the legs while standing,
with the body then working doubly hard to circulate it and pump the blood back up
to the heart.
Jobs mentioned in the
study that require mostly time on your feet included waiters or cooks, machine
operators, teachers and professors, security or hospitality/tourism
professionals, and retail sales asscoiates.
If your job requires long
hours on your feet, here are a few tips to help your body make it through the
day:
- Take breaks as often as you can, and make sure to sit for a portion of them.
- Walk around for a few minutes, at least every hour, to stretch legs.
- Wear comfortable, cushioned, and supportive shoes.
- Ask to have a chair or stool in close proximity to your work area.
- Perform squats frequently, along with deep bends at the waist, to keep the back from tightening up.
Ideally, your job should
have a good mix of sitting and standing throughout the day. If you experience
any severe cramping in your legs or back, or any other constant or shooting
pains from being on your feet all day, please contact
us for an appointment.
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