Make Work Less Stressful on Your Back
By Sara Butler
As if you don't have enough to worry about, the news has been out for a while about all the negative ways that sitting for long periods of time can impact your health, especially the health of your spine. Try not to sweat it too much, because there are a few strategies that the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic want you to include in your daily routine to help relieve stress and support spinal health. They may not make sitting 100 percent healthy, but these tips can help!
Get an Ergonomic Chair
The best chair for your back isn't one that keeps your elbows, knees, and hips at right angles all day long, but instead a chair that allows you to sit in a variety of positions throughout your day. What does that mean? It means that having a chair that allows you to comfortably sit in several different positions while being properly supported is what you should be on the lookout for. This can help to distribute weight more evenly and reduce fatigue.
Get Up
Even if you invest in a top of the line chair to help make you comfortable throughout the day, you still need to get out of it every once in a while. Try to get up at least once per hour to move around, stretch, and break the posture you've been sitting in. Also, try to incorporate other habits such as standing up when talking on the phone and leaving your desk to eat lunch.
Get Rid of Your Wallet
You need to remove your wallet (or phone) from your pockets when you sit down. If you neglect to do this, then you can distort your sitting posture and cause joint dysfunctions and restrictions that can eventually lead to pain and discomfort. Talk to the chiropractors at The Joint for tips on how to sit with good posture, but always remember the first step is never sitting on your phone or wallet!
Exercise!
If you can find a way to fit exercise into your workday, then your spine will be better for it! Even if you don't have time to hit the gym during your lunch hour, you can still do small things to work in more activity. Consider parking farther away from your workplace entrance, walking or biking to work if it's an option, or simply taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Small amounts of movement during the day can add up to a lot, helping to improve your range of motion and keep your joints healthy.
Back pain is serious, so make sure to work with the chiropractors at The Joint to be proactive about the health of your spine!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.