Improve Your Workspace For Your Spine!
By Sara Butler
Many people spend hours each week sitting at a desk. If you count yourself among them, then it's important to ensure your workspace is spine friendly. The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic have a few ergonomic office tips to help you get started in creating your own healthy workspace.
Your Chair
The chair you sit in all day has a huge impact on the health of your spine, which is why you should get a chair that's friendly to your posture. Make sure it fits you well and that it has adjustable height as well as the ability to roll and swivel with proper support for your arms. Make sure that you set an alarm each hour that reminds you to get up out of this chair and move around a little. That will go a long way in helping you to keep your spine healthy -- along with the rest of you!
Your Screen
If you work at a computer screen, then you need to ensure that it sits at the proper level. That means it should be at or just a hair below eye level. This will help you from holding your head down or forward for hours at a time each day, something that puts a lot of stress and strain on the neck as well as the upper back and shoulders. If you work at a laptop, then you may want to consider a laptop desk that holds the screen at the proper height or stacking books to bring the screen up to eye level.
Your Desk
If your workspace has the room, then it might be a good idea to get a standing desk that you can transition to throughout the day. If you can mix up sitting and standing, then you are less likely to slouch or slump over your desk. When you stand upright, it helps to give your spine a break by taking pressure off the lower back too.
Your Accessories
Your keyboard, your mouse, and your phone are all frequently used accessories that deserve some attention too. If you have a laptop computer, then think about getting a keyboard you can connect to it so that the screen can be higher up but your arms don't have to extend up. Also, make sure to get an ergonomically designed mouse that helps to support healthy arm and wrist positions. If you use your office phone or smartphone when at work, keep it within easy reaching distance, too.
If you have questions about how to make your workspace more friendly to your spine, talk to the chiropractors at The Joint!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.