What's Causing Your Back Pain at Work?
By Sara Butler
There you are, sitting at your desk, working the day away when you feel it – that twinge of pain in your back, neck, or shoulders. Sound familiar? Well, you’re not alone if you experience back pain at work. The way many people perform their daily tasks at their jobs is tough on the back and often leads to discomfort and pain. Here’s why you have back pain when you’re working and how your chiropractor can help.
Why Back Pain at Work?
Sitting for long periods of time puts a lot of strain and stress on your back, neck, arms, and even your legs. When you sit at your computer and work for those extended periods without a break or without practicing proper posture, you are increasing your risk of developing back pain.
Work Factors that Impact Your Back
There are a number of things that can influence your chances of developing back pain at work. They include:
- The height of your chair
- The position of your computer
- Your desk layout
- Your keyboard position
- Your mouse position
- Your posture
You can greatly reduce your chances of developing back pain by making sure while sitting at your desk you use good posture, give yourself frequent breaks (at least once an hour), and arrange your desk in a way that helps to encourage a healthy posture.
A Big Factor: Your Chair
Your work chair may be playing a much larger role in the health of your back than you realized. You need to make sure when sitting in your chair that you have it adjusted to a proper height so both feet are flat on the floor. You have to remember that when your feet are flat on the floor, then your back is better supported, so use a footrest if you need to.
How Your Chiropractor Can Help
Your chiropractor is an expert in body mechanics and happens to know more about proper ergonomics at work than you may realize. They are the perfect person to ask about the way you have your desk set up and the ways in which you can reduce your chances of experiencing back pain at work.
Your chiropractor can also make sure that you’re properly adjusted and free from any joint dysfunction or restrictions that may cause you pain.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.