Doctor explained why you shouldn"t sit with "leg over leg"

ALARMING WARNING: POPULAR "CROSSED LEGS" POSTURE MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS DISEASES

The habit of crossing one leg over the other while sitting can result in serious health problems and trigger a whole cascade of diseases. Doctor-therapist Maria Tolstova issued such an alarming warning in an exclusive interview with "Gazeta.Ru".

According to the specialist, this common posture causes a displacement of the spine axis relative to the pelvic bones, which significantly increases the load on the back muscles. The consequences can be very serious: from chronic back pain and worsening of scoliosis to deterioration of intervertebral discs, development of hernias and protrusions.

"During prolonged periods in the 'crossed legs' position, venous blood flow in the legs worsens, blood stagnates, and blood supply to the lower extremities is disrupted. This leads to swelling, numbness, and pain in the lower limbs. All this can cause a number of diseases, such as varicose veins and thrombosis of the lower extremity veins," emphasized Tolstova.

The expert also noted that this posture disrupts blood circulation in the pelvic organs, which is especially dangerous for reproductive health. In women, this can provoke the development of gynecological diseases and reduce reproductive function, while in men, it can lead to reproductive disorders and significantly increase the risk of prostate diseases.

"Frequent and prolonged periods in the 'crossed legs' position leads to increased arterial pressure, which in turn increases the load on the cardiovascular system, and, as a result, contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases," warned the therapist.

Knee and hip joints are also subjected to multiple times increased traumatic load. With prolonged maintenance of this position, damage to the peroneal nerve due to circulatory disorders is even possible, which manifests as tingling, numbness in the legs, foot pain, and muscle weakness.

To prevent these serious problems, the doctor recommends strictly observing work and rest regimes. With sedentary work, it is necessary to take short breaks every 15-30 minutes, performing stretching exercises for the leg, back, and neck muscles. Special attention should be paid to organizing an ergonomic workplace with properly adjusted table height, chair, and optimal computer placement.

"It is recommended to perform a small set of exercises daily: stretching in the morning, relaxation in the evening; move more throughout the day, pay special attention to walks in the fresh air; promptly pay attention to minimal disruptions in the body and regularly visit specialist doctors for preventive purposes to prevent the development of possible diseases," summarized Tolstova.