Sitting for the entirety of your workday puts continuous strain on the lumbar spine. Sustained sedentary behavior will cause inflammation in your joints and degeneration of your discs.

If you’re reading this after decades of sitting, fear not. There are a number of natural supplements that can help modulate inflammation and manage back pain.

Glucosamine HCL and chondroitin sulfate are natural substances found in and around cells of cartilage. These well-researched nutrients help to form the shock-absorbing components of cartilage and to heal articular surfaces.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that the body produces and distributes in cartilage and other connective tissue. Glucosamine also provides the building blocks for the production of chondrocytes that help produce new cartilage.

Chondroitin sulfate is a complex carbohydrate that helps cartilage retain water. Both sulfates have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation and slow cartilage loss.

Curcumin, a substance in turmeric, has been linked to promoting joint health by reducing inflammation. Scientists found that introducing curcumin to the tendon culture inhibited a signaling protein called NF-KB, which can induce further inflammation.

Those who want to reverse the negative effects of sitting should start right away. Switching to a standing desk, taking regular breaks, prioritizing short busts of light activity, stretching, and incorporating anti-inflammatory supplements will all help expedite the body’s ability to recover from long hours spent sitting.

Mild back and neck soreness may be just an inconvenience now, but sustained sitting habits can lead to chronic health problems down the road.

The time to take a stand against the sitting epidemic is now.