Long after the Coronavirus pandemic has passed and the virus is under control, the virus’ influence on our lives will be felt long into the future. One of the things the virus has changed about our lives is how and where we work.
During long lock-downs initiated by cities and states, employers began asking their employees to work from home. What we learned from this experience is people can effectively work from home. It looks like something that is going to stick for millions of people all over the world.
As a word of caution, there is some evidence that suggests people are encountering more back pain issues when working at home. If working at home is going to, or already has, become a normal part of your work life, there is a need to address issues related to you experiencing back pain simply because you find themselves working at home.
The following information is going to address some of the solutions to back pain issues create by working at home. These solutions include setting up a proper work environment, using good posture when standing or sitting while working, and getting chiropractic help before back issues become too painful and unmanageable. Keep in mind that your body will provide you pain after there is already an issue.
Setting Up Your Home as a Office
When the pandemic hit and employees were sent home to work, they had little time to think about setting up a safe and comfortable work environment. A lot of people simply retreated to the kitchen table, put their supplies and computers down, and started working.
Now that people are coming to the realization that working from home is the “new normal,” it’s time for people working at home to start thinking about setting up a proper work environment in the home.
While most people will be lacking space for a proper office or workspace, the real focus should be creating a work environment that is comfortable no matter where it might be in the home. It starts with getting a proper desk that provides plenty of workspace for a PC/laptop and necessary supplies. Remember, a proper desk or table should sit high or low enough to ensure working on it doesn’t put any undue stress on the back.
For back comfort, a proper and comfortable chair is necessary. We would suggest people get a chair that is similar to what they were using in their offices, especially if those chairs were comfortable and didn’t contribute to back issues. Also, filing cabinets and storage areas should be easily accessible without having to stoop or bend to retrieve what’s needed.
By then adding the proper lighting and temperate control, there is no reason why someone should have difficulty creating a comfortable work environment. Taking these steps is essential for people who will be spending long hours sitting at home and working.
The Proper Posture
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, ergonomics is “a science that deals with designing and arranging things so that people can use them easily and safely.” That’s what happens in a formal work environment where HR managers are charged with making sure employees are safe and comfortable while they work. That’s also how people should approach setting up their work environment at home.
Unfortunately, setting up a safe and comfortable work environment is only a portion of the puzzle. Everything else is mute if you don’t have good posture when standing and especially while sitting for long hours to work.
There are far too many people who are hunching over at their kitchen tables or home desks while they work. This happens because people working at home don’t really focus on having good posture. Don’t be one of them.
Chiropractors call this hunched position the flexion posture. The body was not created to be in a “bent” position for long periods of time. Sitting in this poor posture position puts undue stress on the neck and spine. That results in aggravating the sympathetic nervous system, which further aggravates the entire body and often results in pain. Sitting in this particular position too often and for too long can result in disc and nerve damage.
If you have to sit for long periods, you need to do so in the optimum sitting position with the best posture possible. To combat these issues, you should position your chair, desk, and computer in a way that allows you to sit upright. If movements are required, the height of everything should be aligned as to not create instances of bending or stooping.
Another way to take the stress off your neck and back regions while sitting for work is to take frequent breaks. Without the boss looking in, there should be more time for standing and walking for a few minutes at a time. During breaks, it would be very beneficial to do some stretching exercises to keep the back and neck as limber as possible.
Also, adding more focus on exercise and nutrition would be helpful. Eating healthy foods will help to make sure your heart and lungs are healthy. That will help promote a stronger skeletal system. Exercise will help keep muscles toned, which will also help with your posture when sitting or standing.
Visit the Chiropractor
Far too many people go to their chiropractor as a last resort when back and neck pain issues creep up. The reality is chiropractic treatments can also be used as preventative measures. If you are working at home and start to experience discomfort in your neck and or back regions, it’s the right time to schedule an appointment with your chiropractor.
After taxing X-rays and reviewing your medical history for indications of significant health issues, they can go about doing key adjustments to your neck and spine. Here’s the good news. A treatment or two on a regular basis can set you up to avoid pain issues in the future.
Remember, your work is your career. If you have to work at home on a regular basis and can’t avoid it, it’s incumbent on you to set yourself up so working at home is comfortable and pain-free.
If You Live in Fort Lauderdale
If you are in need of a chiropractor in Fort Lauderdale, you are in luck! Coast to Coast Chiropractic is located two blocks south off of Sunrise Blvd. and four blocks west of Route 1 or N. Federal Hwy at 716 NE 2nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale. Call us to discuss your pain today: (954) 999-0504
