There are dangers in everyday life, from slipping in the shower to driving to work. The risk doesn’t end once we are working at a desk, because sitting is killing us!
While not really trying to actively kill us, our computer, desk, office chair and keyboard are not our friends. We spend hours each day sitting, typing and staring at the computer screen Unfortunately, this inactivity is wreaking havoc on our health in a variety of ways.
First, most of us sit incorrectly
Goldilocks knew what she was doing when it came to carefully selecting the right chair. Most of us cause excess stress and pressure on our neck, shoulders, and back. All because of the way we sit in our inadequate office chairs.
According to OSHA, a person who spends time at their computer needs to choose an adjustable chair. This should support the back, buttocks, legs and arms. Be mindful of your posture throughout the day as well. An ergonomically adjusted chair minimizes the occurrences of awkward, strained positions that frequently cause injury.
Along with the way we sit when working at a desk, our office jobs are killing us because:
We have our desks laid out wrong
Even with a great chair, a desk that is the wrong height can cause a person to repetitively move and bend awkwardly. Anyone who sits behind a desk needs to make certain it is the right height to comfortably reach the computer keyboard and mouse. If possible, add a foot rest to decrease the stress on the lower back. Ergonomically positioning a desk offers greater comfort and less stress on a person’s body.
We also type wrong
Using the keyboard incorrectly can cause a ton of painful medical conditions from neck and back issues to carpal tunnel syndrome. The keyboard should sit at elbow height. Reduce the strain on your hands by keeping them in as natural a position as possible, holding your wrists up even with the backs of your hands. Avoid banging the keys by typing softly, which alleviates the stress on your fingers.
A computer mouse should be situated close to the keyboard. It’s essential to keep your hands in a neutral position when using it. Avoid resting your hand on the mouse for an extended period of time.
Not taking breaks
According to the Mayo Clinic, sitting working at a desk for long periods of time is linked to a variety of serious medical conditions. This includes obesity, high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels. Sitting in the same position for hours can put pressure on and result in back and neck pain.
Break up sitting every 30 minutes by standing and walking around and stretching if possible. Even standing for a couple of minutes at a time lessens the impact of a sedentary job.
In addition to building an ergonomic office space, choosing to see a chiropractor in Austin is a great way to help eliminate neck and back pain. Chiropractic treatment involves adjusting the spine, along with other techniques, offering better spinal alignment. Chiropractic also helps achieve a stronger, healthier body in general. A long-term benefit of chiropractic is a body that enjoys greater mobility and fewer aches and pains.
An ergonomic office setup is critical in maintaining good posture that minimizes strain and repetitive motion injuries. By investing in ergonomically tailored furniture and setting it up to suit your specific needs, you will lessen the harm an office job does to your body.
If you or a co-worker suffer from symptoms related to an improperly positioned workstation, give us a call. Our Doctor of Chiropractic can help get the symptoms under control as well as guide you toward a more healthier spine and working environment.
How our Austin Chiropractor is different
You may well have seen a chiropractor before. Some of our patients haven’t always had the best experience, or they don’t like the idea of the twisting and cracking involved with regular chiropractic. Upper cervical chiropractic techniques, such as Blair or NUCCA , are a very gentle and specific way to realign the bones of the spine and relieve pressure on spinal nerves. Our Blair chiropractor in Austin says it’s a very different approach to what most people think of, when they think of ‘chiropractic’!