Why Crossing Your Legs Is Bad for Your Health: Expert Explains

Crossing your legs is a common habit, especially when sitting for extended periods. However, recent research shows that this habit can negatively impact your health.

Studies indicate that sitting with crossed legs can lead to a misalignment of the hips, causing one hip to be elevated over the other.

Additionally, it can alter the blood flow in the lower extremities, which may increase the possibility of blood clots.

Most research suggests that crossing the legs at the knees is more detrimental than crossing at the ankles.

Sitting in this position can elevate your blood pressure as blood accumulates in the veins, causing your heart to work harder to counteract this effect.

It can also raise the risk of injury to your blood vessels, so keeping your feet flat on the ground when measuring your blood pressure is recommended.

The Harmful Effects of Crossing Your Legs

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According to Dr. David Greuner, a cardiovascular surgeon, crossing your legs can increase your risk of developing blood clots in your legs. It puts pressure on the veins and restricts blood flow.

The risk of blood clots is exceptionally high for people who sit for extended periods, such as office workers and long-distance travelers.

Furthermore, crossing your legs can cause hip and knee problems. When crossing your legs, you twist your pelvis and put additional strain on your hip joint.

This position can cause hip pain and, in severe cases, even lead to hip arthritis. Crossing your legs can also cause knee pain and sprain the ligaments that hold your knee joint together.

Sitting cross-legged for extended periods and doing so frequently can lead to lasting alterations in the length of muscles and positioning of bones in the pelvis.

Additionally, the interconnection of the skeleton means that crossing the legs can result in spinal and shoulder misalignment.

Is crossing your legs bad for your health? What you need to know:

"Your head position can potentially become out of alignment due to changes in the bones of the neck, as the spine compensates to keep your centre of gravity above the pelvis."
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— The Conversation (@ConversationUK) March 24, 2023

As your spine works to maintain your center of gravity above your pelvis, modifications in the neck bones caused by leg crossing can result in a potentially misaligned head position.

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Furthermore, muscle imbalances in the pelvis and lower back, as well as poor posture and the stresses and strains from sitting cross-legged, can lead to the same asymmetry seen in the weaker side of the neck muscles.

Stretching the gluteal muscles on one side for an extended period can also cause the pelvis to become misaligned, causing the affected muscles to weaken.

Also, sitting with crossed legs for extended periods can increase the chances of developing scoliosis and other deformities.

It may also lead to greater trochanteric pain syndrome. It is a common and painful condition affecting the outer side of the hip and thigh.

Moreover, there is evidence to suggest that crossing the legs may have an impact on sperm production.

The ideal temperature of the testicles must be between 2°C and 6°C (3.6°F and 10.8°F) below standard body temperature. Crossing the legs may affect this temperature balance.

How can you avoid crossing your legs and prevent these health problems?

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First, you have to be aware of your sitting posture. Keep your feet flat and your back straight, and avoid leaning forward or backward. It can help reduce the pressure on your veins and prevent blood clots.

If you sit for extended periods, take frequent breaks and stretch your legs. Stand up and walk around for a few minutes every hour. Doing so will improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots.

You can also do simple stretches at your desk. Try leg extensions, and ankle circles, to keep your legs and feet active.