On Air: Pain Arthritis Relief Center Shares Dangers of Sitting

“Sitting is the new smoking,” Pain Arthritis Relief Center tells News Channel 8’s Larry Smith on Good Morning Washington. A sedentary lifestyle causes a host of problems which include digestive issues, diabetes and obesity. Sitting too much is even linked with an increased likelihood of developing cancer. It may seem like an unavoidable challenge for people whose jobs involve sitting at a desk all day, but Dr. Paris shares how easy it is to overcome a sedentary lifestyle.

The first recommendation Dr. Paris makes is for a wobble chair that allows your whole body to move around while your feet stay firmly planted on the ground. This allows you to exercise your back, legs and abdominal area. Larry Smith even takes a seat, demonstrating the wobble chair himself. Another useful tool is a regular desk that has the ability to transform into a standing desk, so you can switch between sitting and standing.

To avoid sitting too much without buying new equipment, Dr. Paris discloses his personal strategy for making a sedentary routine active. Dr. Paris suggests that for every 25 minutes of time spent working, five minutes should be spent moving around. It can be as simple as getting a drink of water or stretching right at the side of your desk.