Why Sitting Isn’t the Enemy (But Still Causes Problems)

Why Sitting Isn’t the Enemy (But Still Causes Problems)

By Dr. Andrew Kakishita | Kinetic Chiropractic – Lehi, UT

We hear it all the time: “Sitting is the new smoking.” It’s a catchy phrase, but it’s not completely true. Sitting itself isn’t the problem. The real issue is how long we sit, how little we move, and the positions we stay in all day.

At Kinetic Chiropractic in Lehi, I see plenty of patients who think sitting at their desk all day has ruined their back or neck. The truth is, your body can handle sitting. It just can’t handle only sitting.

Your Body Is Built to Move

Our joints, muscles, and ligaments are designed for movement. When we sit for hours at a time, our hips tighten, our upper back stiffens, and our glutes “turn off.” Over time, this can lead to pain, reduced mobility, and fatigue.

The good news? You don’t have to throw out your chair or stand all day. You just need to move more often. Think of sitting as one piece of a bigger puzzle. If you move regularly and strengthen your body, sitting doesn’t have to cause problems.

Why Sitting Can Still Cause Pain

When you sit, your body naturally shifts into positions that save energy. Over time, those patterns can lead to muscle imbalances. For example

  • Tight hip flexors from long hours in a chair
  • Weak glutes that stop supporting your hips and back
  • Rounded shoulders from reaching toward a keyboard
  • Neck tension from looking down at screens

These changes don’t happen overnight. They build slowly, and by the time you notice pain, the habits are already set.

How Chiropractic and Movement Help

At my clinic, I often combine adjustments, mobility work, and shockwave therapy to help patients recover from sitting-related pain. Chiropractic care can restore better joint motion and help reduce stiffness, while shockwave therapy targets muscle tightness and tissue irritation.

If you’ve ever searched for “Shockwave Therapy near me” or wondered if it helps with sitting-related pain, the answer is yes. It’s especially effective for those sore spots in your hips, shoulders, or lower back that don’t loosen up easily.

But the real key is to move consistently between visits. I give my patients simple stretches and strength exercises that can be done right at their desk or during short breaks throughout the day.

Simple Ways to Break Up Sitting

You don’t need to overhaul your entire day. Just make small changes:

  • Stand every 30–45 minutes for a quick stretch
  • Do 10 bodyweight squats before lunch
  • Pull your shoulders back and look up once an hour
  • Walk while you take calls
  • Stretch your hips before bed if you’ve been sitting a lot

Each little movement helps your body reset and keeps your muscles working the way they should.

The Takeaway

Sitting isn’t the enemy. Stillness is. The more you mix up your movement throughout the day, the better you’ll feel. If you’re starting to notice tightness, stiffness, or pain from sitting too much, that’s your body’s way of asking for attention.

At Kinetic Chiropractic, we help you get moving again. Whether it’s through adjustments, shockwave therapy, or guided mobility work, we keep your body performing at its best.