Stiff and tired after sitting all day? Do you get up from the couch or bed and feel like you have been run over by a truck? Stiffness and soreness from sitting is very common and luckily there are options to help relieve this discomfort and get you moving freely again.
You may be surprised to learn that sitting in a bad posture isn’t what makes us stiff and sore. It’s sitting in one position and not moving that does us in. Sitting for long periods of time can cause your muscles to tense up as they try to compensate for your lack of movement. This causes increased muscle tension, which leads to stiffness, soreness, fatigue and pain.
There are a few options to combat this muscle and joint discomfort. Some of these you can do yourself, and the last will require a visit to your chiropractor or other manual therapist.
Solution 1: Move More
The home solution is to move more! Movement is the best way to combat the negative effects of sitting still. As soon as you get up, walk around, stretch and do some simple movements such as shoulder circles or high knees. If possible, take short movement breaks from sitting throughout the day (even if only for a minute). Another way to take a movement break is to move while sitting. You can change your position and posture throughout the day to get more movement in. Additionally, some of those simple movements can also be done while sitting.
The more active you are throughout the day, the less stiff and sore you’ll feel at the end of it!
Solution 2: Improve Fitness
Another home solution for reducing stiffness and soreness from sitting is to improve your general strength and fitness level. By increasing your body’s baseline ability to tolerate different forces and loads, the easier it will be to shrug off discomforts and reduce risk of injury to muscles and joints.
Solution 3: Guidance from a Professional
Sometimes it’s hard to go at it alone though. It can be helpful to have some professional guidance. Seeing a chiropractor also allows you to feel confident that what you’re doing at home is helpful and not further aggravating the muscles and joints.
Book in with Dr. Judith to relieve those stiff muscles and joints! We offer movement and self management guidance (tips & tricks, exercise therapy, health and fitness education), in addition to the manual therapy for symptom relief.