Uncross your legs!

Every piece of evidence we have read preparing this article has insisted:   UNCROSS YOUR LEGS. 

Not just for back pain...there are a surprising amount of references who, for vastly different reasons, warn you - seriously - to uncross your legs!

Diabetics

One of the first things diabetics are told is to be aware of serious circulatory problems - especially to the feet & lower leg.

According to Northside Hospital, you should

"Uncross your legs. Avoid crossing your legs at the knees or sitting with your legs crossed beneath you. Both postures hamper circulation and encourage blood to pool."

Even if you are NOT diabetic...hospital staff are trained to make you uncross your legs in hospital - and there is a myriad of reasons why - documented on the internet.

Sports and adventure hikers

are very aware that 'crossing the legs' increases the tingling sensation (that should not be ignored) as a warning of serious underlying problems, and there are many references to crossing your legs and varicose veins.

Surprise at blood test!

I recently went for a blood test at a pathologists here in Melbourne.  I sat down and loosely crossed my ankles.  The pathologist then asked me to "uncross my ankles" before it was possible for her to take a blood sample from my arm !

I'm guessing they're pretty serious about this ankle-crossing!

LOWER Back pain

When it comes to biomechanics, seat & posture, our own major reason for concern is crossing your legs causes lower back pain.

You tend to 'slouch' more It makes the back oYou know your two 'dimples' - just above a 'speedo-line' and below your waist at the back.  Those "20 cent sized' dints at the back of your pelvis...

The more you cross your ankles or knees, the more you stretch that area, and those joints, in fact you OVER stretch them, and that's what causes a LOT of pain!

Pelvic Balance:  the 'belt test'

When you sit at the desk...is your belt on your trousers lower at the front or the back?

Urgent Action Items:

1. Employers & Schools need to become well acquainted with sitting and lifting procedures in order to educate and warn staff & students against the hazards of lifting poorly & sitting with bad posture for long periods.

2. You need to change!  Remind & remind yourself to uncross your legs!  Just one of the many things to safe sitting posture.