Posture and Back Pain in the Workplace

In today’s day and age, the large majority of people live sedentary lifestyles, and their posture often suffers as a result. Many people, sit at their desks for hours on end and cause damage to their backs without realising it. In today’s blog, we discuss how to maintain a good posture at work, to prevent back pain. We will also discuss how chiropractic care for back pain can be highly beneficial for those suffering.

Why Caring About Your Posture is Important

How Does Posture Cause Back Pain?

Bad posture is one of the most common causes of back pain, and it’s also one of the easiest to correct. When you maintain healthy posture, your bones, muscles, and joints are all working together in harmony. This relieves stress on your spine and minimizes the chances of developing back pain.

Unfortunately, many people have bad posture without even realising it. Slouching in your chair, hunching over your computer screen, or crossing your arms can all contribute to back pain. And these habits can be tough to break!

As today’s modern world requires us to sit at our desks, we must find new ways to alter our posture to ensure we do not experience long term damage. Read on to find great ways of doing this!

Adjust Your Posture

One way to adjust your posture is to try and sit as close to your desk as possible. You should also rest your hands on the work surface with your upper arms parallel to your spine. Whilst doing this, ensure that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle. You can do this by adjusting the height of your chair (if possible). Additionally, you should ensure that your knees are bent at 90 degrees whilst doing this.

If sitting at a desk for a prolonged period, you may find this position difficult to maintain. Therefore, you should take regular breaks to stand up, walk around and stretch. This will help to relive pain because your muscles can move and warm up, thus preventing them from seizing up in awkward positions. Additionally, by moving and stretching, you can increase the blood flow around your body, thus bringing fresh, oxygen filled blood cells to the muscles, revitalising them and providing them with energy.

Select the Right Chair

Yes, it is not always easy to decide what chair you use, especially if working in an office that only has the same type. However, here are some things to look out for to ensure your chair is supporting your back.

Depth is an important consideration when it comes to selecting the right chair for your workplace. You want to make sure that the depth is such that your thighs are parallel to the ground when you’re seated. If the chair is too deep, you’ll be inclined to slouch, which can lead to back pain. It is crucial to have the proper chair depth to maximize circulation in your legs throughout the day. This will help keep you comfortable and focused.

Another consideration when it comes to finding the perfect chair for your body is the height of the armrests. They should be adjustable so that you can position them at a height that is comfortable for you. This will help to keep your shoulders relaxed and supported. Another thing to look for when selecting the right chair is a lumbar support. This will help to keep your spine in alignment, which is crucial for preventing back pain.

If you cannot find a chair that has all of these features, don’t worry! You can always purchase a pillow or bolster to use as extra support.

Lastly, make sure that the chair you select has a good backrest. The backrest should be curved so that it supports the natural curve of your spine. If the backrest is too straight or too curved, it can put unnecessary strain on your back. When considering the ergonomics of the chair, the backrest should angle beyond 90 degrees and has padding that pushes your back forward when seated. This is important as it prevents slouching, but still allows you to sit comfortably.

Keep Your Computer Level

Looking down at a computer for an extended period of time will cause strain on the neck and shoulders. Therefore, it is important to ensure your computer is sat at the correct height and is level to your eyeline. If possible, angle your computer screen to a level that does not cause your head to strain forwards or backwards. If your desk is slightly too low, then you can always sit your laptop or monitor on top of books. Many workplaces now have devices to raise the level of the screen, but as long as its stable, anything can work.

We also recommend that you keep the mouse within easy reach of the keyboard on the same surface. As you type or operate a computer mouse, your wrists should be straight, your upper arms should be close to your body, and your hands should be at or slightly below elbow level. This all contributes towards maintaining a healthy posture.

Many workplaces now consider the importance of posture, so provisions are largely put in place. However, if this not the case in your workplace, or you work from home, then these tips are incredibly useful. Maintaining a good posture in the workplace is crucial in avoiding long-term back pain.

Chiropractic Care for Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see chiropractors. It can be caused by a variety of things, including poor posture. Many people don’t realise that they are slouching or not sitting up straight until they start to experience back pain. Chiropractic care for back pain can help correct your posture and help to prevent back pain from occurring. If you are already experiencing back pain, chiropractic care can help to relieve the pain and get you back to feeling like yourself again. There are many different chiropractic techniques that can be used depending on the cause of your back pain.

Chiropractic care for back pain helps with your alignment, which thus enables joints and bones to operate effectively. Therefore, this prevents slouching and other causes for back pain, thus reducing the pain experienced. Furthermore, chiropractic care for back pain includes educating the patient on the pain and how to combat it. Therefore, clients become more aware of the causes of pain and are well equipped to deal with it.

Contact Us

If you are seeking chiropractic care for back pain, then visit Falcon Health Today. To book a consultation, click here. Alternatively, learn more about our various services by exploring our website or contact us on 01444 257555 or info@falcon-health.com.