Smart Ways to Work Through Work Pain with Chiropractic Hacks
By Sandy Schroeder
If your day begins and ends with a stiff neck or sore back, you may need to take a closer look at your day and your workplace. A few small adjustments could make the difference between an easy run, or an endless day that sends you home with pain.
Most of us just head into the day, plunging into our work to get the job done. But when our neck or backs let us know there’s a problem, seeing The Joint Chiropractic to find solutions quickly could be a wise choice.
Workplace Injuries
According to the American Chiropractic Association, workplace injuries affect millions of Americans each year, wherever they are on the job, lifting and delivering heavy boxes, or sitting for long hours in front of a computer screen.
"By making relatively small changes in your workplace environment, using proper lifting techniques or by replacing your office chair with one that provides improved back support, you can help minimize your risk of injury and avoid making an existing condition even worse," said ACA President Dr. Richard Brassard.
ACA Workplace Tips
How you sit - When working at a computer, sit with your knees at a 90- to 120-degree angle with feet flat on the floor.
Fix your chair - Make sure your chair fits you. Allow for two inches between the front edge of the seat and the back of your knees. Keep your knees at or below hip level. Make sure you have good back and shoulder support.
Watch your lifts - Never bend over to lift heavy or large items. Bend your hips and knees and squat to pick up boxes or other objects. Hold the object close to your body and your legs to power the lift. If you need help, get it.
Time your sitting - Avoid sitting for extremely long stretches. Take mini-breaks, do chair exercises, or mix in meetings and errands with work sessions.
Get smart backup - Use exercise as your secret office weapon to tone your muscles and spark your mood. Fit in a walk before work, a 10-minute stretch during the morning, stretching exercises after lunch, and another quick walk in the afternoon. Your body will be better primed to handle the work, and you will be more relaxed.
Chiropractic Effectiveness
According to the ACA, a number of workers' compensation studies say chiropractic care for acute and chronic lower-back pain can be more effective and less costly than regular medical care, putting workers back on the job faster. Chiropractic can be an effective treatment for carpal tunnel, neck pain, joint pain, headaches and other neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
Making It Work for You
As you sort out your workplace, you might consider doing a weekly 15-minute chiropractic tune-up session to monitor your progress. When you are ready The Joint Chiropractic makes it simple. Private, affordable care programs eliminate the hassle of insurance, and flexible weekend and evening hours make sessions convenient for you. No appointments are needed.