Whether at home or at the office, working at a desk can be stressful on your body. Poor posture and hard surfaces contribute to back, hip, and neck pain. Before you reach for over-the-counter pain meds, there are some other ways to prevent pain. Besides regularly seeing your chiropractor, proper posture and appropriate chairs can make a big difference.
Posture for Desk Work
When sitting at your desk, be sure to keep your back and neck as straight as possible. Keep your arms resting parallel to the ground. Your feet should be flat, and your legs should be parallel to the floor as well. Keep your back against your chair, and your shoulders rolled back.
An Adjustable Comfortable Chair
For the above posture tips to be implementable, it’s imperative to have the proper chair. Part of the reason why so many people get back pain from office chairs is because it is not the right height for their bodies. If your chair is too low to the ground, you will slouch your legs and back which can lead to pain. On the other hand, if your chair is far off the ground for your height, you’ll be straining to touch the ground or reach your desk which can also lead to pain. Your chair also needs adequate lumbar support for your lower back. Without this, excessive sitting can lead to sciatica and hip pain.
Move Around as Much as Possible
Even with a proper chair, excessive sitting can still lead to pain and tight muscles. For this reason, it’s helpful to get up and move as much as possible during your workday. Make a habit of walking around on phone calls or taking a short walk on your lunch break. Also, if you can get up and move at any time during your schedule, try to do so.
If you sit often for work, be sure to see your chiropractor regularly. New to chiropractic care? Make an appointment at Posture Doc and we’ll walk you through the process. Give us a call today.