We have made our modern world so mentally complicated and so physically simple. Our advanced brain has continually invented furniture, transportation, technology and devices (like the remote control) that make it easier to sit for extended periods of time. In a typical office workers day in western society we sit to eat, sit in the car, take the lift, sit at the computer, sit in the car and then sit on the couch. There is a growing research focus and workplace awareness that ‘incidental ‘exercise – even having to get up to get to the printer and breaking the sitting time can have a significant benefit to our metabolic, musculoskeletal and mental health. Humans are not physically designed to sit – we should hunt, gather and reproduce! Every day Physios, doctors and other health professionals see people with multiple ailments but no history of incident or known reason to have pain. Why then, do so many of us suffer? Sitting is possibly a major reason behind these unknown syndromes. Even those who diligently do their 45 minute class 2-4 times a week at the gym suffer from the overwhelmingly imbalance of sitting time v active time. It seems that breaking up sitting time is the only way of reducing the multiple detrimental effects of sitting.  A UQ study in 2010 found that having a higher number of breaks in sedentary time was beneficially associated with waist circumference, body mass index and metabolic markers of health! Low back pain and headaches are the most common physical complaints of office workers. There is a significant stress component that varies with each individual and job but again the sedentary v active time is the key. Quite simply, sitting causes back pain. The industry of ergonomics can actually contribute to the problem. If you have the best chair, footstool, wrist support, monitor in perfect position, lighting, temperature and noise ideal – there is still no good way to sit continuously for hours on end! The message is simple – get off your backside and you may find things will change.
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