How to Protect Your Back at Work

By Donna Stark

The things you do just to bring home a paycheck. It can blow your mind some days, can't it? I mean, let's face it. Work can be a real pain to deal with, both figuratively and literally. In fact, back pain is one of the most common injuries in the workplace, but unfortunately, many people don't know how to avoid it. And on top of that, many people also don't realize that back pain doesn't discriminate. So it really doesn't matter whether you are sitting behind a desk on the penthouse floor or if you were the one who built the foundation to that penthouse, if you aren't mindful of how you carry and use your body, you could be setting yourself up for some major disasters.

Work Should Never be a Pain in the Back

Without being too dramatic, that little bit of pain you come home with everyday may not stay little for very long. It is critical to your overall health and wellness that you seek help right away if your back pain lingers or gets worse. It is also important to take the necessary steps that will reduce your risk of getting hurt in the first place. Here are some suggestions.

• Don't become too sedentary - Whether you are standing or sitting, most people should change their posture every 20 to 30 minutes. So what does that mean? Well, it means you need to move! Take a walk, stand if you have been sitting for too long, or get up and stretch for a few minutes. Your body will be forever grateful.
• Get enough sleep - I am sure you have had days where the biggest battle was fighting your fatigue and trying to think clearly, but a lack of sleep doesn't only affect your cognitive function. It can also affect the way you carry and move your body. You're tired. You're slower than usual. And when that happens, the risk of straining your back increases, so do your back a favor and get the sleep you need.
• Practice good posture and form - Whether you are standing, sitting, driving, or lifting, you need to focus on your movements and practice good posture. Use proper techniques when lifting or carrying objects and commit to keeping your body in proper alignment throughout the day. This could mean that you may need to change the setup of your workstation, invest in better footwear, or refine your daily schedule.

Your Work Can Work for You

There's no way around it. You need to work. But there is a way you can make your work a better place to be. With some simple changes and a little more awareness, the work you do, day in and day out, will no longer be the pain it is today.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Arvada, Colo.