Sitting With Crossed Legs: Why It Causes Back Pain & Simple Posture Fixes | Chair Ergonomics

Sitting with the legs crossed is a habit for many of us... but this can cause back pain and neck pain! Your spine will actually take a scoliosis AND slouched shape, which will overload all the tissues: discs, cartilage, muscles, etc.
If you want to fix this daily posture, you first need to understand why you have the habit of crossing your legs. There are different possibilities:
- imitation or some other psychological factor linked to the body language that you are trying to express
- sitting for too long
- sliding in your chair (e.g., because the seat is worn out or because it's slippery e.g., made of leather)
- sitting too high
- resting your shoulder blades on the backrest e.g., because you sit too low
- trying to stretch the piriformis muscle (which is a common cause of sciatica). I'll show you a simple trick to strengthen your adductors (and your lower abs) while sitting at work.
I'll show you how to fix all these factors to correct your posture and improve ergonomics at work! This is relevant whether you're in the office or whether you work from home.
Here's the link to the video that I mention on how to fine tune your sitting posture: • Best posture for sitti...
The lying down version of the piriformis stretch exercise is explained in detail here: • Piriformis Syndrome: W...
A lot of the pain you feel is caused or aggravated by wrong posture, poor ergonomics and a lack of specific exercises for your muscles and joints. Giving you the tools to resolve these issues is the reason why I created this self care channel.
If you need more, check out these two innovative offers that will truly empower you in the subtle art of posture correction:
- you can get THE POSTURE MANUAL, my best-selling book with 15 readers-only posture correction videos - only if you buy it from my website: oliviergirard....
- to enjoy a personal coach and a lifetime membership to my private Facebook group, consider joining THE POSTURE ACADEMY: oliviergirard....
---
Medical Disclaimer
All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
Full disclaimer:
oliviergirard....

[@Alm0st999]

This is a gem of health video right here, so helpful thank you

[@joyjitterz3187]

I found this extremely informative. I was FLABBERGHASTED when you went over the toxis posters. I slouch and twiat my spine all the time. 💀 when i work i lean on one arm and wrap my legs around eachother like a braid. I will make better effort to take standing breaks and avoid twisting my spine. Thanks for the practicals!

[@papyrophliac]

This is so great! I started a new project where I sit 12-14 hours a day for several weeks now and am terrible at crossing legs alternating when they fall asleep. I now have muscle strain in my upper lower back and my flanks on the abodmen.

[@drfax2139]

Hey Olvier, props to you for creating such helpful content and for your detailed explanations.

[@MARA610]

This is so helpful, thank you.

[@mohammeda.700]

Best video for this topic. Thank you 🙏

[@Kronos21782]

Great video. Trying to break these very habits.

[@mezzofeldenkrais6131]

Wonderful. Thank you. I've been involved in a practice called Jin shin jyutsu for a while and there is alot of crossing the legs which I've been backing off from. And this video helped me to clarify some things.

[@jaykayy4268]

Very useful!

[@user-st3xl6dm1l]

thank you sincerely, Olivier. your videos are full of useful information.

[@OlivierGirard]

Many thanks, my friend. Your kind words are a great motivation to go on :)

[@IndyBuckeye0]

Thank You ! Ive been told to not do this but my leg just hurts and it takes some of the pain off to rest my leg on the other

[@OlivierGirard]

do you feel pain at the back of your thigh?

[@nicole-secondaryemail-mort9617]

Will you please make a video about sitting "meditation-style cross-legged"? Is it healthy. Either sitting on the floor or on a work chair. Thank you.

[@OlivierGirard]

On my to-do-list from now on :) Basically, I'll say that it can increase the pressure in the hip joint...

[@nicole-secondaryemail-mort9617]

@@OlivierGirard Thank you!! 😀

[@OlivierGirard]

You found it already 😉: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5nZeXewadiFa7s

[@retrovertigov]

What an informative video, as always. Thank you. By the way, Mr. Olivier, what is your personal opinion about gaming chairs?

[@gl2461]

After a year of sittint cross legged at work. I have misaligned neck

[@amir250]

use better mic plz

[@OlivierGirard]

Done in the newer videos 😁… sorry for the older ones indeed!!

[@msrunner333]

that's not how women cross their legs - this is male related

[@joycelinho461]

Bad. Habit. Sitting