DON'T Sit On Your Foot In Chair| Physical Therapist Explains Why

I see people absentmindedly sitting on their foot ALL THE TIME. As the self-proclaimed posture police, this phenomenon has always driven me bonkers. I could never figure out why people would choose to sit, in what looks like, such an uncomfortable position. But why does this matter? You end up with feet, ankles, knees, hips and so much more being thrown out of whack to achieve this position.


Not all exercises, suggestions, and recommendations presented here are suitable for everyone and are in no way substitute for medical counseling.

These exercises can result in injury. Any user of this program assumes the risk of injury and holds harmless and releases Dr. Justin Lin and Rehab and Revive Physical Therapy, Inc. from any and all liability in connection with the program and advice herein.

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Filmed and Edited By: Griffin Lisuk
IG: @griffinlisuk

[ElbaFlamenco]

This is a lifelong habit for me. It's true that none of the solutions are as exciting as sitting on my foot 😭

[Googoogonzalez]

I've had upper back pain for 3 years, I just realized I was sitting on my foot all this time. Chronic foot sitterer here, thank you

[jasmel]

I've done this my whole life! Now that I'm in my 40s, it has caught up on me. Some days I can barely walk! Thank you for confirming what I suspected to be at the root of my ankle and shin pain... Time to work on getting rid of this bad habit. 😅

[Theveganlaowai]

I've done this often for as long as I can recall. tonight I noticed pain on the side of my knee and upper back calf. tender and even a bit swollen looking. I realized perhaps sitting on my foot recently while studying for several hours a day finally caught up to me. if im not sitting this way im standing all day almost nonstop lol im working hard to keep it on the floor and hope it'll heal soon:(

[JuraIbis]

You explain really well what not to do and why its bad but you dont explain WHY it feels good and why people do it. Its like sitting crosslegged. People keep saying its bad but why does it feel so relieving?

[BarbTodd]

I’m guilty!!! Thanks so much for the info!!

[DahliaLegacy]

How do you stop doing this? My feet like to be sat on. lol

[SRT-DUKE]

I’ve just scared myself.
It’s what sparked me to look up your video.

I sat on my foot at my PC for awhile and I randomly just moved my foot out from under me I kid you not it was completely purple. I was honestly worried that I may have hurt myself because I have never had it that bad.

[Yeebo__]

I've been sitting on my feet since I was a kid. Here recently, we've hit a bit of a bump at work and I've been off and while I've been off, I've been trying to finish Final Fantasy 9. I never realized how much I sat on my feet until my feet really started to go numb and my knees started feeling weird. Thanks for this.

[kimberleywynbergen]

Chronic foot sitter here too! Paused the video to get a rolled up towel to sit on and it feels surprisingly good. Much easier to sit up straight this way. Thank you.

[linm]

My feet rarely touch the floor when I sit on a sofa or club chairs at home. To compensate I sit on my foot A LOT. Thanks for this video! I will try the towel and get a foot stool.

[maryjane]

I'm going to have to make the effort because it feels so good. Great advice 👍

[kimtran]

Over 2 months into school and constantly sitting on a high chair with not using the foot rest that came with the chair, I now have strained my left knee. It’s painful when I sit, stand, walk, lift, … even laying down (legs straightened or bent). I have stuff underneath the table because of lack of space, I’d put my foot on it, sit on my foot, sit crossed leg, asian style (one knee up, foot on the chair), sitting with one leg angled, and one foot on the stuff and other dangled. Don’t take that little patella bone for granted! And I already have a chronic inflamed SI joint.

[yukimasahiko]

I did this my entire life growing up. I’m now 40… I never had issues like back pain or cold feet. It’s just very comfortable. But about 5 years ago, I got a rubber leg issue. I assumed might have been from sitting on my legs catching up to me. I did physical therapy and it worked. I got use of my legs back. But I sadly went back to leg sitting.

[ChillyWillyTube]

Kneeling chair! I think I need that!!! Thanks for the information!!!!

[GSTARSHOW]

Your really awesome buddy thank you the towel trick and foot stool together at the same time is greatttt

[andhyalvarez]

Thanks for the advice, looks like the video editor had a fun time with this lol.

[JamesCarmichael]

I used to foot sit and sit cross legged for years and wondered why my knees and ankles were killing me constantly. Changed that and the way I was walking and got rid of chronic pain within a couple of weeks.

[nko]

not only sitting. all my life ive never been able to tolerate the feeling of the point of my feet pushing against the bed sheets, and sleeping in the 4 position has been a thing for me as well.

[artvsmachine]

I thought it might start out as kids when you're not tall enough to sit at the sable, you can elevate yourself sitting on your foot. And then it just becomes a lifetime habit. But that's just MY NOTION. It's not based on research, science, or anything other than just my own thoughts. So, don't quote me on that. Could be utter BS.