Is Sitting the New Smoking?

analyzed how two common pastimes effect life expectancy. They found that for every hour of TV that people watch, presumably while sitting, it cuts about 22 minutes from their life span. By contrast, it’s estimated that smokers shorten their lives by about 11 minutes for every cigarette they smoke.

Impingement Syndrome

The tendons of the rotator cuff pass intimately underneath a bony area on their way to attaching to the top part of the arm bone. When these tendons become inflamed in the bony area, they can become frayed during shoulder movements. Shoulder Impingement can occur due to structural issues, such as arthritis, or it can be due to instability in the shoulder.

Piriformis Syndrome

The most common symptom of patients with piriformis syndrome is increasing pain after sitting for longer than 15 minutes. Many patients complain of pain over the piriformis muscle (ie, in the buttocks), especially over the muscle’s attachments at the hip. Symptoms, which may be of sudden or gradual onset, are usually associated with spasm of the piriformis muscle or compression of the sciatic nerve

Pregnancy Related Low Back Pain

Most causes of low back pain in pregnancy can be linked to weight gain, postural changes, hormonal changes, muscle separation and stress. The average weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds, combined with the increased stress placed on the body by the baby, can result in moderate to severe discomfort. Women who already suffer from low-back pain may experience worse symptoms. During pregnancy, a woman’s center of gravity quickly begins to shift forward to the front of her pelvis. Although the pelvis has enough depth to enable her to carry a baby, the displaced weight still increases the stress on her joints. As the baby continues to grow in size, the woman’s weight is projected even farther forward and the curvature of her lower back is increased, placing extra stress on the spinal disc and facet joints. In compensation, the normal curvature of the upper spine increases as well.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is defined as an anterior (forward) displacement of a vertebra, in relation to the vertebra immediately below it. Spondylolisthesis can lead to a deformity of the spine, as well as a narrowing of the spinal canal or irritation of the exiting nerve roots. Approximately 5-6% of males and 2-3% of females have a spondylolisthesis. It usually appears in people who are involved with very physical activities, such as weightlifting, gymnastics, or football.

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