Crossing legs for an extended period primarily leads to impeded lower limb blood circulation and lumbar spine/pelvic deformation. Additionally, it triggers a chain of issues such as leg muscle imbalance and joint damage.
The specific consequences can be categorized into 4 key types, with their core impacts clearly outlined below:
- Skeletal and Joint Damage: Long-term unilateral stress causes pelvic tilt and lumbar scoliosis. It also increases pressure on the inner side of the knee joint, inducing knee osteoarthritis or ligament strain.
- Blood Circulation Disorders: Crossing the legs compresses blood vessels, slowing down the return of blood in the lower limbs. This easily leads to leg numbness and swelling; in the long run, it may raise the risk of varicose veins.
- Nerve Compression Discomfort: While blood vessels are compressed, the sciatic nerve is also squeezed. This can cause radiating tingling and numbness in the legs, especially after prolonged sitting.
- Muscle Imbalance and Deformation: The leg muscles (e.g., hip flexors, calf muscles) on the side where the leg is often crossed become tight, while the other side becomes relaxed. Over time, this results in asymmetric leg muscles and even a slight “one leg longer than the other” visual effect.
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