More than 80% of jobs in the United States are primarily sedentary, and the majority of office workers spend most of their workday sitting at a desk. This lack of movement and bad posture due to improper desk setups contribute heavily to back pain.
At New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center, with locations in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Matamoras, Pennsylvania, and Warwick, New York, Dr. Ajay Kumar and his team deliver a broad range of solutions for back pain caused by desk work as well as recommendations for steps you can take to keep your spine healthy.
Unless you treat your body right and have supportive office furniture, constantly working at a desk can cause slow, insidious damage to your spine. Poor posture and lack of lumbar support are often responsible for middle and lower back pain among desk-bound workers.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect your spine health.
You can make changes to your environment and work habits to help protect your back and reduce the likelihood of spine pain caused by long hours at your desk.
A must is a high quality chair that features built-in lumbar support. A close second is a desk of the right height with a riser for your computer monitor to cut down on hunching.
Ergonomic office furniture has been found to significantly decrease musculoskeletal discomfort, including back pain. Your employer might be willing to chip in or reimburse you for the expense of a healthier office setup.
The best furniture in the world can’t help you if you ignore bad posture. Your elbows should bend almost at a right angle, instead of your elbows being lower than your hands. Your knees should also be at a right angle. Place your monitor so it’s at eye level. These modifications can help you keep your back straight and deter slouching.
Every 30-60 minutes, get up from your chair and stretch a little, even if it’s just for a few moments. Take any bathroom or other breaks you’re owed as a chance to loosen up your back.
One simple exercise is to stand up straight and pull your shoulder blades back and together as tight as you can before releasing them. This unfreezes muscles that have stiffened due to immobility.
If you’re having chronic back pain, we can help. Dr. Kumar offers a range of therapies to effectively target back pain, including spinal cord stimulation and minimally invasive spine procedures. And following these tips can help you in tandem with medical intervention.
If you sit at a desk all day and are experiencing spine pain, reach out to Dr. Kumar at the location nearest you or book an appointment today using our convenient online system.
