Reduce Desk-Life Pain with Stretches!
By Sara Butler
If you have a job where you sit at a desk for hours and hours every week, you are probably very aware of all the aches and pains associated with extended sitting. It causes tired muscles, neck tension, and an aching back – but there are things you can do to reduce this. Pairing regular visits to your chiropractor at The Joint with these simple office stretches can have you calming the pain caused by working at a desk in no time!
Move It or Lose It!
Sitting around for long periods of time is actually quite demanding on your body. Your muscles are constantly working to hold a posture – and if that posture isn’t the right posture then your muscles are working even harder. This is what leads to the aches and pains associated with desk sitting. Many experts, including your chiropractor, recommend taking a break to stretch every 30 to 60 minutes. This helps you to keep from sitting in one posture for too long and stretches out your muscles to help you find relief.
Get Your Fingers Moving
The easiest stretch to start with is a finger stretch.
- Put your hands out in front of you
- Straighten and separate your fingers until you feel the stretch
- Make sure to keep your wrists and hands in alignment
- Hold stretch for 10 seconds
- Bend at your knuckles
- Hold this position for 10 seconds
The Wrist Stretch
Stretching your wrists is also easy and important when working at the keyboard.
- Put one hand out in front of your
- Slowly pull your fingers back with the other hand
- Hold stretch for 5 seconds
- Repeat with the other hand
Neck Stretch
Your neck can hold a lot of tension, so release it with this stretch.
- Lower your chin down to your chest
- Place your hands on the back of your head
- Gently press on the back of your head until you feel a stretch in your neck
- Hold for 15 to 30 seconds
Side Neck Stretch
You need to make sure you stretch your neck from a couple of different angles.
- Keep your shoulders straight and lower your ear on one side to your shoulder
- Keep looking straight ahead
- Hold for 15 to 30 seconds
- Repeat on the opposite side
If you need more ideas for easy stretches you can do at your desk to help relieve tightness in your neck, shoulders, and arms during the day, you should discuss it with your chiropractor during your next visit to The Joint Chiropractic!