3 Ways to Keep Your Work Day From Being a (Literal) Pain in the Neck
In today's digitally powered world, it's no wonder that the average American worker is more sedentary and screen-dependent than ever before. In fact, studies have found that we spend roughly 1,700 hours per year sitting and looking at our computers. And although technology can provide many wonderful opportunities, the incessant sitting and staring can take a toll on our health. Many people in the workforce experience headaches, eye problems, sleep disruptions, and emotional stress due to this way of working. And of course, there's also the strains and pains we experience in our necks and our backs as a result of how we position ourselves in the office.
Ultimately, it's not enough to use the weekend to recover, nor is simply "getting through it" any way to live. If you ignore the negative physical effects of your workstation setup, you could end up dealing with long-term pain and substantial damage. Therefore, it's important to take a close look at your work environment and visit a chiropractor regularly to stave off the negative consequences. Here are three things you can do to keep your work from being a literal pain in the neck (or back).
Adjust Your Monitor: If you want to avoid needing emergency help from a professional chiropractor, it's a good idea to make some subtle yet important changes to your desk or cubicle. Let's start with your computer screen. Your monitor should be positioned in a way that does not cause you to stretch your neck up or down to see what's on the screen. The very top of your monitor should typically be at eye level. This will allow you to read the majority of what's on your screen without ever having to adjust your neck. The monitor should also be no further away than an arm's length, though you may need to play with the placement to ensure that you can read what's on the screen without straining your eyes. If the monitor is too close or too far away, you'll end up having to contort your body in unnatural and uncomfortable ways to compensate, which can lead to pain.
Invest in New Equipment: If you're accustomed to a worn-out chair and your desk has never felt like the right height, it's time to make some changes. An ergonomic chair with built-in back support could allow you to keep your appointments with chiropractic specialists to a minimum, while a sit-stand desk can bring more balance to your lifestyle and help you stave off the negative effects of prolonged sitting. Make sure your chair has adjustable arm rests and that it's adjusted to a height that allows your feet to be flat on the floor with a 90-degree angle bend at your knees and hips. If you work from home, you may be able to write these items off as business expenses on your taxes. And if you're worried about asking your boss to purchase these products, you might do well to provide them with some statistics on back pain and how it can impact office productivity and worker absences.
Rearrange Your Station: There's no substitute for the help that a professional chiropractor can provide, but you can make a substantial difference by making some changes to how items are arranged on your desk. You might not totally realize the strain you're putting on your body when you have to reach for a notebook or your phone. Make sure your keyboard and mouse are positioned in close range and try to switch the side your mouse is on every day. Keep pens, papers, and other office equipment within reach to minimize unnecessary leaning. And try to reduce texting and phone typing, as this will likely cause you to bend over.
Of course, the way you work matters a lot. But what if you've done all this and are still experiencing pain? A professional chiropractor can help. With more than 1 million chiropractic adjustments given every day worldwide, more people are discovering the benefits of these services. To learn more about how a professional chiropractor can reduce pain due to work habits, please contact us today.
