Jamie Chung
New Medical Advice: Kicking back may be the best strategy after all. When Canadian researchers from the University of Alberta performed MRI scans on volunteers, they found that reclining at a 135-degree angle put less strain on spinal disks than sitting at a 90-degree angle. “Over time, excess pressure can cause your disks to bulge and lead to an injury such as a herniated disk,” says Evan Johnson, DPT, director of physical therapy at the Spine Center at New York- Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.
While you’re sitting at a desk, hold your head in line with your shoulders and your hips, allowing for a slight forward curve in your back, and lean slightly back. Adjust your chair so your back is supported. “When we do checks with the hospital staff, I’m always surprised by the number of doctors who don’t sit properly,” Johnson says.
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