How a Day at the Office Can Cause Back Pain

Let’s face it, our world runs on digital: computers, tablets, smart devices. A good majority of modern jobs consist of sitting at a desk, in front of a screen, with fingers fast at work on a keyboard. For some Americans, this describes their daily realities. Southwest Chiropractic understands how this can have unintended ramifications on our bodies. We care about your back and neck health. We know that hours of desk posture might be a culprit for why many seek back pain treatment.

The Desk Syndrome

You might have heard the age-old adage: if you don’t use it, you lose it. Movement and utilization of your muscles is key to staying healthy and keeping things working properly. As the workforce changes, many Americans find themselves confronted with a serious problem: immobility. Spending too long in the same position can cause serious problems to your neck and spine. If workers are not careful they might find tension building in their neck muscles and back. It also contributes to obesity and muscle deterioration. Over time, this might set you up for injury and begin causing chronic back and neck pain and other issues.

​Some of the common faults of the modern desk job include:
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• Keyboard placement: If the keyboard and mouse are too far away, you might find yourself leaning forward and tilting your head down for long periods of time. This will strain the neck and back.
• Screen height: You want to make sure the monitor is at a horizontal level with your eyes and not too high.
• Check your eyes: Sometimes people who fail to check their eyes will begin to unconsciously lean forward or squint at the screen. This produces awkward postures that force the neck and strain the muscles.
• Desk adjustments: If you do any time of data entry or research you mind find yourself looking down at a document. Consider investing in a document holder to avoid hunching and adopting an unnatural position over a flat document.
• Chair height: Make sure your chair is not too low or too high from your desk. Your feet should be on the floor and not dangling.

Ways to Mitigate Neck Pain

So how does one mitigate the common issues that arise from sedentary work? We have heard a lot recently that sitting is considered the new smoking and this is not entirely inaccurate. We sit when we work, when we eat, when we watch television. It is everywhere in our society and it often ignores the fact that our bodies are healthiest when we move. A few ways to combat these bad habits include:

• The Thirty Minute Rule: Every half an hour or so make an effort to stand up and move around. Take a quick walk to the water cooler, stretch out your arms, or move your legs.
• Standing Desks: Research about the dangers of sitting have prompted an entire industry of modern standing desks that allow employees to sit and stand when needed.
• Daily Exercise: Getting the recommended amount of daily exercise can make a big difference in how you feel every day. It improves circulation, encourages strong joints, and strengthens back and core muscles. ​

Get Back Pain Treatment with Southwest Chiropractic

The desk syndrome is more common now than ever. It can slow down the healing of injuries or make people prone to them. Back pain treatment is a commonly sought out solution to years of bad posture and habits. Visit us today to correct some of these issues and set you back on the road to health and mobility.

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