WATCH: What's Good For You, every Wednesday 7.30pm, Channel Nine
Why do we cross our legs, is it any good for us and does it cause varicose veins?
Contrary to the myth crossing your legs does not cause varicose veins. It can however cause muscle, knee and ankle pain, and even lower-back pain.
What is a varicose vein?
A varicose vein is a superficial vein that is enlarged. This happens when the vein walls become weak and there is a downward flow of blood that pools, putting pressure on the vein enlarging it just like a balloon. More than a million Australians suffer from varicose veins which can range from thin spider veins to large ropey, blue-knotted veins.
What causes a vein to become varicose?
The biggest factor is hereditary. Seventy per cent of patients with varicose veins have a family history of it. The second biggest cause would be lifestyle factors, which include a occupation where standing for long periods is common, obesity, lack of exercise and pregnancy.
How do you get rid of them?
There are three main ways to get rid of varicose veins. The first is to inject a solution to shrink them down, the second is to surgically remove them and thirdly, more recently laser treatments will burn them closed from the inside.
Why do we cross our legs?
We often cross out legs because it's a comfortable way to sit, however, by sitting this way you can actually develop lower-back pain. It causes your back to hyper arch which puts pressure on your lower spine. The correct way to sit is with your feet flat on the floor so you can straighten out the arch of your back, relieving the pressure.
But crossing you legs because it's comfortable is not the only reason people sit like this. It can be a reflection of how people feel even if they are unaware that they are doing it.
Crossed legs can mean different things in different social situations.
- Anxiousness: If it is the first time you meet someone crossing your legs creates a barrier increasing your personal space.
- Dislike: If you catch yourself crossing your legs away from the person you are sitting near it can indicate aversion.
- Power: If you lean back spreading your legs to occupy more space it shows a command of space and authority.
- Romantic gesture: If a woman crosses her legs either exposing a thigh or to point a knee at her romantic interest it is her body's way of flirting.
Results
Crossing our legs occasionally won't do us any harm. And it certainly won't cause varicose veins, but it could reveal a little more about your intentions than you are willing to give away. So if we're a little more conscious of the way we sit, it'll be better for our bodies in the long term.
Home