There are dangers in everyday life, from slipping in the shower to getting mowed down by the teenage driver next door. The risk doesn’t end once we are safely behind our desks, because… sitting is killing us!
Seriously, while not really trying to commit murder, our computer, desk, office chair and keyboard are enemies of good posture. We spend hours each day sitting, typing, staring at the computer screen, and this inactivity is wreaking havoc on our health in a variety of ways.
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 from the way we sit in our inadequate office chairs. This strain can result in a variety of temporary and permanent problems from headaches to carpal tunnel syndrome and more (see our posts about text neck and sitting for more about these issues).
According to OSHA, a person who spends time at their computer needs to choose an adjustable chair that supports 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, our office jobs are killing us because…
We have our desks laid out for bad posture.
Even with a great chair, a desk that is the wrong height can cause a person to repetitively move and bend awkwardly during the day and injure themselves. Anyone who sits behind a desk needs to make certain it is the right height to comfortably reach the computer keyboard and all pertinent supplies are within a comfortable reach. Add a foot rest to decrease stress on your lower back. Ergonomically positioning a desk offers greater comfort and less stress on a person’s body.
We are also bad at typing.
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, and it’s essential to keep the hand in a neutral position when using it. Avoid resting your hand on the mouse for an extended period of time.
We work too hard at being stationary.
According to the Mayo Clinic, sitting for long periods of time is linked to a variety of serious medical conditions from obesity to high blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Sitting in the same position for hours can put pressure on your joints and result in back and neck pain. We are, after all, creatures whose strongest natural ability is walking.
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 taking the initiative to build an ergonomic office space, choosing to participate in chiropractic care is a great way to help eliminate pain from back, shoulder, and neck strain. Chiropractic treatment involves adjusting the spine, along with other techniques, offering better alignment in particular and a stronger, healthier body in general. A long-term benefit of chiropractic care is a body that enjoys greater mobility and fewer aches and pains. At Surrey Family Chiropractic & Massage, we have helped people from every occupation and background get free from the strain of bad posture and have a healthier, happier work life.
If you or a co-worker suffer from symptoms related to an improperly positioned workstation, give us a call today at 604.588.6505. Dr. Caulfield can help you get your symptoms under control and offer advice on how best to set up your working environment for your particular needs.