Slouching at work can cause neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. Sitting with good posture can aid in the healing process. Check workstation set-up, raise screen, use a separate keyboard and mouse, adjust lumbar support, and take breaks.
Whenever I go into assess a client with a back issue, 70% of the time they are slouching over at their desk and wondering why they are experiencing pain in their neck, shoulders and lower back.
It is hard to remember to sit up straight all day long, as it is a natural tendency to lean over as we concentrate on our work. Indeed, I often do the same, but I quickly remember to sit back up, as I know the consequences of holding this posture for too long and too often! Having suffered a few back injuries along the way, I know personally the benefit of avoiding compacting down on the spine – if you can avoid doing this, your recovery process which be faster. So if you have a long term issue, such as spondylosis, fibromyalgia, frozen shoulder, RSI, Arthritis, scoliosis, slipped disc, or are just getting pressure build up through the day, it can be hugely beneficial to correct your sitting posture.
There are subtle psychological influences that encourage us to slouch or lean forward, so it is worth checking your workstation and chair set up to help you stay in a healthy position for the majority of the day.
Is the top of the screen at eye height? If it is too low, you will lean down to read the screen Is the screen placed directly in front of you and at arm distance away. If it is too far away or at an angle, you will naturally lean forward to read the screen, or sit at a twist Is the keyboard and mouse close to the front of the desk? If they are pushed too far away, you will have to reach forward to type and again, start to lean forward Are you using a laptop for more than an hour or two at a time? If so, RAISE IT! Try and raise it up closer to eye level height and use a separate keyboard and mouse.
Does your office chair have an adjustable lumbar height and depth? If not, you may be naturally leaning forward away from the backrest due to discomfort levels and lack of support Are the armrests of your office chair too long and obstructing access to your desk? If so, this will stop you from being able to sit back in the chair, using the armrests (to relieve tension in your shoulders) whilst still comfortable using the keyboard and mouse, so consider changing your chair. Do you do a lot of paperwork? If you do, consider using a horizontal document holder to raise the height of your paper work and reduce the need to lean down to read it. Is your office chair at the right height? Too low or too high and it will encourage a slouch, so do take a few moments to check it is set at the right height for you in conjunction with the desk height. Take a break! Just standing up, even for a minute or two, every hour, will nourish your muscles and spine, and do take a lunch break wherever possible, away from your desk. If you would like advise on any of the above, do not hesitate to contact us for more free tips, or arrange for an expert ergonomic workstation consultation visit for bespoke advise. Contact us on [email protected] or find more details at www.inspiredergonomics.com
And remember the importance of exercise is real, with long term benefits to not only your general health, but your back health too. Movement is your friend, repeated long term static posture is your enemy!
NB:
If you would like to learn more about the importance of Workstation Assessments, see my webinar that was recently recorded for you: https://www.inspiredergonomics.com/msk/
