For most people, the habit of sitting with their legs crossed does not in itself pose a serious health risk. This is the conclusion reached by the authors of an article published by ScienceAlert, citing The Conversation: according to their assessment, the available data does not confirm that this posture harms the back, “wears out” the hip or knee joints, or causes varicose veins.
As the authors note, the problem is more often related not to the posture itself, but to the fact that a person remains in one position for too long. It is prolonged immobility, rather than “incorrect” posture as such, that more often leads to stiffness, discomfort, and a feeling of numbness. The researchers emphasize that the modern view of posture is gradually moving away from the idea of a single “ideal” position for everyone.
The article specifically addresses the common belief that crossing one’s legs is harmful to the back. According to the data cited by the authors, studies on posture and back pain have not identified a single universal sitting position that reliably protects against problems, nor have they found evidence that ordinary everyday sitting positions in and of themselves cause damage.
A similar conclusion is drawn regarding the joints. The authors point out that the knees and hip joints endure much greater stress daily when walking up stairs, standing up from a chair, running, or carrying heavy objects than when sitting with crossed legs. Although this posture may temporarily alter the angle of the joints, there is no conclusive evidence that it leads to arthritis or long-term damage.
The popular claim linking this habit to varicose veins is also unsubstantiated. As the publication notes, the risk of varicose veins is much more strongly associated with age, heredity, pregnancy, obesity, and certain occupational factors—including prolonged standing—rather than sitting with crossed legs.
However, the authors note a caveat: in certain clinical situations, such as after some hip surgeries, doctors may temporarily recommend avoiding this position. But this does not mean it is harmful for everyone. The main practical conclusion of the review is that what matters more than “perfect posture” is regularly changing body position, moving around, and avoiding sitting in one position for too long.
