Your Day Job: Causing Back Pain?
By Sara Butler
Your job -- love it or hate it, you can't hide from the fact that if you're like most people, then your job has you sitting down most of the day. With all the advances made with computers, many people's jobs have become automated in such a way that you simply don't need to move as much, which can cause a problem for your back. The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic want you to understand how all this sitting can impact your spinal and overall health. Here's how your desk job may be contributing to your back pain and what you can do about it.
You Can Avoid Work
Unless you're independently wealthy, you simply can't afford not to work -- so that's not an option. But sitting at a desk for seven or eight hours per day isn't doing your body any favors either. The answer isn't to play the lottery and hope for the best, the answer is to learn how to sit better and treat your body better to avoid back pain or reduce existing back pain while you work.
How can you do that? There are some simple chiropractic tips that can help:
- Sit without crossed legs - While some may think that sitting with crossed legs is the polite or proper thing to do, it's not when it comes to your spine. Crossing your legs is not great for spinal alignment and can lead to back pain, so simply avoid it when sitting at work. Both feet should be flat on the floor.
- Keep those shoulders back - Hunching over your computer monitor may happen occasionally, but you should try to be mindful as you sit that it doesn't. Sitting properly with your shoulders back and your core muscles engaged will become easier the more you do it.
- Move around - At least once per hour you should get up out of your chair and get that body moving. You don't have to do anything fancy, simply get up and walk to the restroom or the water fountain to help break the posture you've been sitting in.
- See the chiropractor - Seeing the chiropractor regularly helps you feel better and arms you with the tools you need to stop doing damage to your body and your health as you work
You want to do your best at work, and we want to help you be at your best. That means leaving sore shoulders and backs, as well as headaches, behind. Let the chiropractors at The Joint help to guide you on your journey to better health at both home and work!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.