Legs Crossed?

We’ve all crossed our legs before.

For some, it’s the only way they like to sit. Some like the ankle on top of the knee. Others like the crook of the knee on top of the thigh. Others even have their ankle sitting underneath their other thigh.

In all these examples this can change your posture.

And if you want to improve your posture for a healthier spine, you’ll want to watch this short video.

It’s amazing how much these small tips can make a big difference.

If you have any questions or want an appointment, contact us by clicking here.

Crossed Legs Video

Prefer to Read? Read on!

If you watch an interview on TV or are simply sitting in a waiting room, you’ll probably see someone crossing their legs.

We’ve all crossed our legs before.

For some, it’s the only way they like to sit and we sit so much these days.

But is this sitting position good for you? Does it promote good posture? 

Unfortunately, it does not.

I have had to break this bad news to many of my patients who are chronic leg crossers.

Many people spend the most time in a day lying down or sitting, and then standing.

Whilst sleep position is very important (and I’ve written about that here), sitting position is also extremely important. Many people sit in cars or public transport to get to a job where they sit, sit again on their way home only to sit watching dinner and end up sitting in front of a TV, computer, tablet or phone.

Much of this time may be spent crossing legs as well.

Whilst sitting for most of the day can cause back problems, crossing your legs is one of the issues that may further contribute to back problems and hip problems.

When I say back, I don’t just mean lower back, the effects flow right up the spine.

Is sitting with my legs crossed bad for my hips?

To start with let’s look at some basic anatomy, so that we’re on the same page.

When you look as someone from the front, their pelvis will ideally be level. This sets the foundation for the spine to be straight. This helps the shoulders and head to be level.

When you look at the spine from the side, you want a gentle curve in lower back toward the belly button, a curve the opposite way in the mid and upper back, ending in a gentle curve forward in the neck.

You want your ear, shoulder and pelvis to be in a straight line. Now when someone crosses their legs, the pelvis will naturally tilt to one side.

From there, most people will compensate by tilting their upper body the opposite way. But you don’t want your head tilting off to the side with your chest, so you bend it back to the middle so you can look straight ahead.

Suddenly a straight spine becomes bent out of the ideal posture.

Is it a good thing to be in this position for a long time?

Unfortunately no. Watch the video above to see what it looks like. And there’s more to it.

Often when people are crossing their legs, they lean back and slouch.

So suddenly the lower back curve is now reversed into a slump, encouraging their head to protrude forward.

How do I stop sitting with my legs crossed?

Try this tips to stop sitting with crossed legs:

• Get up and move every 30 minutes
• Stand up and stretch if you’ve been sitting for more than 30 minutes
• Sit with your feet supported on a small footrest of some kind under your desk
• Make sure your chair is low enough to the ground that you can place both feet flat on the floor (especially for shorter people)

Most people know that slouching is not good for spinal health. Add crossing legs and slouching together, the body becomes distorted from it’s strongest position.

These days, you often see people in this position with their head down in a mobile phone.

Crossing your legs can be a tough habit to break, but it will likely be better for you if you can break the habit. If you want, cross your legs below the knees as this doesn’t have the same problems as above the knees.

Have any questions or want an appointment, simply contact me.

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Ryde Chiropractic:

4 Doig Ave,
Denistone East NSW 2112