In today’s modern lifestyle, where many people spend a significant portion of their day sitting, it is crucial to understand how our seated positions can impact our hips and overall musculoskeletal health. Prolonged sitting in extreme positions can lead to overactivity or tightness in certain muscles, affecting how we move and potentially causing discomfort or pain. This blog will explore two common extremes of seated positions that can negatively affect the hips and provide practical tips to help alleviate the associated issues.
Arched back – Anterior Tilt
When we sit for extended periods with poor posture, such sitting with an exaggerated arch in the lower back, our hip flexor muscles can become overactive and tight. The hip flexors are a group of muscles responsible for bending the hip joint, and when they become excessively tight, they can pull the pelvis forward, leading to an increased arch in the lower back (hyperlordosis). This posture places additional strain on the lower back and can contribute to discomfort and even lower back pain
Slouching and Posterior Pelvic Tilt
Slouching in a chair and adopting a posterior pelvic tilt is another extreme seated position that can negatively impact the hips. In this posture, the lower back rounds and loses its natural curve, while the glute muscles shorten and become tight. As a result, the hip extensor muscles become weak, and again you may develop lower back pain.
Being mindful of how we sit and making necessary adjustments to our seated positions can have a significant impact on the health of our hips and overall well-being.