(512) 416-7700 | CONTACT US | MAP
(512) 416-7700 | CONTACT US | MAP
I get asked this question a lot and my usual response is that the research clearly states that standing as opposed to sitting for 8+ hours per day is far better for our health. Most recently, the New York Times wrote an article citing 2 studies that conclude that sitting less is better for our DNA cells (in one study the DNA actually become younger for those who sat less) and helps us to live longer.
My opinion, as someone who specializes in helping people restore positive movement patterns, is that standing is great but it may not fix your body pains. Prolonged sitting, especially with poor body posture, can be a root cause of many of today’s common musculoskeletal complaints: low and mid back pain, neck and shoulder tension, sciatica, knee problems and foot pain. This is why I love working with the pelvic floor, the deep stabilizing muscles at the base of our pelvis. These muscles can weaken or even atrophy over years of sitting because the chairs we sit in sub in for our natural musculature. Reconnecting with these muscles improves all of the pains earlier mentioned as well as breath and balance. So, moving from a sitting desk to a standing one without the help of these muscles may improve your longevity but not your back pain.
Shannon Rashap, CPT, M.A. Ed.
Helping you find effort with ease…
Many of us suffer from severe pain in the soles of our feet, otherwise known as plantar fasciitis. Until recently, experts thought inflammation in the connective tissue, or fascia, of the feet caused this pain. However, more research is coming out that this painful condition is a result of tight muscles in the calves and feet as opposed to inflammation in the body. This is an important distinction when you consider that reducing inflammation would require steriods or anti-inflammatory pills/shots to improve the pain versus some daily stretching.
A study on runners suffering from plantar fasciitis mentioned in a recent New York Times article reviewed 2 different types of stretching regimens and their effectiveness on plantar fasciitis. The study tested a stretching technique similar to what we perform at Clear Point Wellness called eccentric stretching, where a muscle is active the entire time you are stretching it. The control group in the study performed traditional stretching where the foot is just pulled back with a strap. After 3 months, the active stretching technique proved to be more successful in healing plantar fasciitis pain than traditional ‘touch your toes’ stretching as I like to call it.
For more information on the types of active stretching we do at Clear Point Wellness, check out our videos!
Shannon Rashap, CPT, M.A. Ed.
Helping you find effort with ease…
If you look at your shoulders in the mirror, do they appear to be rolled in? Check out the side view–rounded upper back? Do you have neck pain? Do you work in front of a screen?
If so, this week’s video will help strengthen your upper back to pull your shoulder blades back where they belong, your back and not your ears. Feel your posture immediately improve and your chest muscles relax and passively stretch by externally rotating your shoulders. This is a personal favorite in my ‘sexy shoulder series’. Give it a shot!
Shannon Rashap, CPT, M.A. Ed.
Helping you find effort with ease…
