Developing the knee pain and hip pain commonly seen while working behind a desk or typing away on the computer in a La Jolla office is avoidable.  If you have ever sat around for a long period of time, you probably felt some of the painful side effects. It tends to cause knee pain, joint pain and leg pain. You can also suffer from uncomfortable tingling sensations in your feet and legs. The answer to these problems is far simpler than anyone could imagine. It’s just a matter of understanding that there are new methods that work much better than the old ones.

The Old Method of Dealing with Effects of Sitting Too Long

Many people were under the impression that you could counteract the negative effects of sitting for too long by exercising. It turns out, according to the Washington Post report, that exercise has no health benefits in regards to the damage caused by sitting for eight hours. This report was related to a study conducted by Indiana University published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise researchers.

The study found that people who sat for long periods of time, ended up with joint pain, leg pain and discomfort, even if they exercised daily. This is the result of a sedentary lifestyle of the 9-5 office worker who works five days a week.

When you sit at a desk for eight hours per day, it can be harmful to your health. Your blood begins to pool up in your legs. That can make blood circulation difficult. This puts you at risk of cardiovascular problems. It also causes knee pain, leg pain, hip pain, etc.

A New Method for Sitting 8 Hours per Day without Negative Effects

Instead of exercising after spending eight hours on your bottom, be more active altogether. Every hour, stand up and walk around as much as you can. Just standing is not enough. Move your muscles and exercise your legs to prevent the blood from pooling in your feet and legs. A funny light job around the office.  Jumping jacks.  Burpees.  Simply be creative!  When I was in medical school I would run stairs during study breaks.  It gets the blood pumping so it does not pool in the legs and it is rejuvenating.

Performing some typical walking exercises every hour while stuck behind a desk can be a life saver. You will feel better. Your blood will flow better, and there will be less discomfort, leg pain, hip pain, and knee pain.

It can be a bit of an adjustment, but one worth making if you want to see results and avoid unnecessary knee pains and hip pains. As time goes on, more jobs are requiring employees to sit down. And, this is not good for you… period. Call our award winning sports medicine physicians who specialize in alleviating your pain at San Diego Orthopedic Surgery.

Treating Leg Pain, Knee Pain and Joint Pain

If you are still feeling discomfort and pains, you should consider seeing an orthopedic surgeon. Your local San Diego orthopedic surgeon can help you with your bad circulation and leg pain issues. Call Dr. Robert Afra, M.D. at (760) 994-2663, or visit his San Diego Orthopedic office today.