CONNECTION TO PAIN FROM SITTING

A main contributor to developing chronic pain is chronic sitting. I know for most of us we cannot avoid this, it is part of our jobs. Whatever the reason for the sitting, we can offset the negative impact on the body, mind, and our well-being.
But first we have to understand its roots.

The problem with sitting is that some of the body is under used and some of it is over stimulated. So the parts that are under used become weak, do not support our joints, and make us vulnerable to injury or chronic pain. The parts that are over stimulated aren’t working for us really either. When the body is held in one position, the muscles used to support this become one dimensional. 

They are not developed to their full capacity, in different ways. They can only support certain movements and this also adds to our vulnerability. The body is being pulled by the muscles that are over stimulated and no counter force is being given by the muscles that are weak and under used. Are posture starts to change from this pattern. Head moves forward, shoulders round… etc. 

We do not have the strength and suppleness needed to support our daily movements if we do not offset the impact of constant sitting.

Even if you don’t have pain yet, this process can already be developing. I don’t say this to scare you. The wonderful thing about knowing that this may be happening is that it allows us to act and to find the support we need.

Myo Yoga teaches students to feel what the body is doing, right now, so you can respond to its needs. We won’t be able to change posture in a day by learning proper alignment. But, we can change posture over time to relieve pain. Also, by paying attention to what the body is doing right now and responding to its needs, we start a practice of really caring for the body and ourself. This is the rehab process to me and this is what I teach my students.