There is no denying that we live an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, spending hours each day sitting at desks or curled up on couches watching TV. The average Australian spends 2 hours and 25 minutes a day watching television.1 That’s a long time in one position and it can be hazardous to your health.
Most of the time, when people watch TV, they are either slouching or lying in ways that put strain on their shoulders, back, or hips. Unwinding in front of the television shouldn’t feel like work but it also shouldn’t leave you feeling miserable the next day (which can happen if your body is not properly aligned).
Here are some things you can do to keep your spine happy while watching television:
- Pay attention to your posture – sitting up straight may not feel comfortable at first but overtime you’ll be able to maintain good posture as a habit. Keep your shoulders and back relaxed, and avoid tilting your head forward, backwards or sideways.
- Take a break – a great way to remember to move is by getting off the couch and walking around during commercial breaks.
- Reduce sitting time – you can make television time productive by doing household chores such as ironing or folding clothes while watching your favourite series.
Chiro Can Help
If you are already experiencing the side effects of poor posture and prolonged sitting (pain, headaches or stiffness), we highly recommend you visit The Spinal Centre for a consultation with Dr. Hooper.
Dr. Hooper and The Spinal Team can provide advice on self-care, depending on your condition and its severity. Research has shown that chiropractic care can help patients who suffer with back pain.
In fact, a systematic review of articles published between 2009 and 2014 concluded that “the evidence supports that doctors of chiropractic are well-suited to diagnose, treat, co-manager, and manage the treatment of patients with low back pain disorders”.2
