Is Crossing Your Legs Bad For You?
Short answer
Crossing your legs for short periods of time shouldn't be too much of a concern. Real problems arise when leg-crossing becomes habitual and is done for prolonged periods of time.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Almost everybody crosses their legs at some point, whether consciously or unconsciously, and for different reasons. For instance, there are some people who cross their legs for comfort, others do it to keep warm and others do it for purposes of reducing pressure in one of their legs after a prolonged sitting session. Again, there are others who do it out of habit. So is leg-crossing bad for your health?
Basically, the spine rests squarely on the pelvis when you are in a seated position. Once you cross one leg over the opposite knee, one of the hips is raised hence increasing pressure on the other. This causes the spine to change its position. A recent study published in the journal Blood shows that sitting with your legs crossed for extended durations of time can result in pelvic, lower back, knee and hip pain.
Leg-crossing can shorten the muscles present on one side of the lower back because the position of the hips, spine, and pelvis shifts each time you cross your legs. The muscles present on one side of the lower back can become chronically shortened if you sit with your legs crossed for extended durations of time, consequently resulting in spasms and back pain. Moreover, this position further increases the pressure exerted on the sciatic nerve. This nerve runs through the lower back, buttocks all the way down to the legs and the feet.
Studies have also show that leg-crossing can also inhibit blood circulation in the legs, hence causing varicose veins among other circulatory problems over time. If you enjoy sitting with your legs crossed, it is important to only do so for short periods of time. The more it becomes a habit and the longer your legs are crossed in one sitting, the higher your risk becomes for unwanted side effects.
Possible short-term side effects
Possible long-term side effects
- reduced sperm count (men)
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decreased blood circulation
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poor posture
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hip, back, pelvic, and knee pain
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Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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