Sitting, The new smoking
Who would have thought that sitting at your desk all day could have such a detrimental effect on your body.
Many people who spend most of their day sitting down report back and neck pain as well as other health problems. Have you ever wondered why your neck hurts so much after a day at the desk? Are you leaning towards the computer? Are you doing it reading this? Of course you are. As you lean forward you will start to change your posture and start to develop forward head posture. This puts increased stress and strain on the muscles in your upper back and between your shoulder blades. The muscles in the front of your neck also have to contract more that they should, this results in….. That’s right tension headache, and I bet you thought it was your job that gave you tension headaches, well it is but it’s the way you sit to do your job that’s the culprit not the work itself!
For Every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds - Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, Vol 3.
So the solution is simple right, don’t lean forward when working at your desk or reading.
So I hear you ask, now you've explained that I can no longer complain to my boss about my workload giving me headaches but why does my lower back hurt?
Well, muscles in your hips are attached to your lumbar spine. These are called your hip flexors. As you sit down these shorten. After a long period of sitting they become permanently shortened and in turn pull on your lower back every time you stand. This causes frequent back pain. So, the solution? If your job involves sitting how do you get around lower back pain? You make it sound inevitable. Well, how about getting up out of your seat every half hour and standing for 2 minutes whilst working? That’s not difficult is it?
Other ways you can help yourself and reduce the effect of sitting down all day is as simple as being active outside of work; try to engage in activities that don’t keep you sedentary more than necessary.
Chiropractic First is located in between Grimsby and Louth for patients who suffer from all types of neck and shoulder pain. Call our chiropractic office at 01472 488082 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal treatment.
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