By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Women, and men, sit with their legs crossed out of habit, but sometimes to appear sexier.
Fashionable people do it, and so did Sharon Stone. But in reality, it could be a major cause of backache and spinal problems.
Crossing your legs causes the pelvis to twist. If you put your right leg on top of your left leg, too much weight is concentrated on the left part of the pelvis, this type of constant stress will cause disc damage.
It can also cause pinched nerves resulting in pain in the spine. If you’re seated in a position where you pelvis is crooked, then your spine will twist in the opposite direction to balance the body.
In the worst case, your spine will form an elongated “S” shape. Also, crossing your legs can cause swelling of the blood veins, ligaments, muscles and also hinder blood circulation.
Also for women, a twisted pelvis can affect the uterus and ovaries, even causing severe period pain or an irregular period.
Then how should we sit when using a computer? According to advice given by doctors published in the Chosun Ilbo: Sit back in the chair, straighten your posture and rest against the backrest. Place your feet slightly apart with knees bent just a little.
Make sure your feet are flat on the ground, including your heels. The armrests of the chair need to be at a height that is comfortable. Keep your head directly above the shoulders, chest out and head back.
Keep the shoulders directly above the pelvis. Look at the PC monitor at a 30 degree angle lower than eye level.
Looking too low can cause neck strain. Use your core abdominal muscles to support your torso while you sit. Bending forward puts too much pressure on the back.