Don't Let Pain At Work Slow You Down!

Headaches, along with neck, low back  and shoulder pain are some of the most common physical complaints in an office setting.

 

According to recent studies, 63% of all office workers will experience some form of neck and shoulder pain along with associated headaches. Contributing factors include poorly designed workstations, poor posture, and poor body mechanics related to work tasks.

A number of factors can contribute to back pain at work. For example:

• Force. Exerting too much force on your back - such as by lifting or moving heavy objects - can cause injury.
• Repetition. Repeating certain movements can lead to muscle fatigue or injury, particularly if you're stretching to the limit of your range of motion or using awkward body positioning.
• Posture. Slouching exaggerates your back's natural curves, which can lead to muscle fatigue and injury.
• Stress. Pressure at work can increase your stress level and lead to muscle tension and tightness, which can contribute to or worsen back pain.

Pain can plague your workdays and free time. You're not stuck with it, though. Take time to examine your work environment and address situations that might aggravate your back. Even simple steps to ease pain are steps in the right direction. Follow our guide below and become pain free today.  

 

In pain today? Our health care staff consist of Registered Massage Therapist, Osteopath's, Acupuncturist that are ready to help you become pain free and gain a Dynamic lifestyle. 

In Pain At The Office? - Try These 10 Things!

When working at a desk, try these suggestions for greater comfort:

1- Choose a desk that is the proper height. All things on your desk should be within easy reach.

 

2- Keep your body straight with the head and neck upright and looking forward, not to the side. Do not hunch over or slouch.

3 - Adjust the height of your monitor. Look forward with your head in a neutral position. Your eyes should be at the same height as the top of the monitor. Leaning your head forward can lead to headaches and neck pain.

4- When typing, keep your wrists straight, your shoulders perpendicular to the floor, and your forearms parallel to the floor.

5- When reading at your desk, use a bookstand or a paper holder to keep your eyes in the same neutral position you use to read documents on your computer monitor.

6- When talking on the phone, use a headset, when possible, especially if you talk on the phone for prolonged periods. Holding the phone between your shoulder and cheek will only lead to neck pain and headaches.

7- Stand up and stretch your legs with a short walk about every 20 to 30 minutes.

8- Take micro-breaks often, stretching your neck, arms and wrists, back, and legs. Simple stretches include neck rotations, fist clenches, arm dangles, and shoulder shrugs.

9- If your eyes concentrate on a particular object for long periods, relax your eye muscles by shifting your focus from objects that are close to you to objects that are farther away. This helps reduce eye strain.

10 - Visit A Massage Therapist or Osteopath every 4 -6 weeks. This will help prevent any soft tissue or joint pain, keep your body realigned, and keep your stress level to a minimal.