Taking Pain Out of the Office
For many individuals chronic back and shoulder pain is their constant companion; some people don’t even remember what it’s like to be completely free of pain. A major contributor to this growing problem is the way in which we work each day.
Was Back Pain a Problem in the Olden Days?
The short answer is yes and the long answer is no. Yes, there was a lot of back pain during the time inhuman history where we had to go out and toil at the earth on a daily basis to secure food for ourselves and our families, but it was largely a different type of pain. It was the pain of occasional overexertion,too much stooping during a harvest or too much packing around heavy loads. Our ancestors were at their top physical peak at all times because they had to be; there was no other way.
Today, the exact opposite is the case and ironically it manifests in largely the same problems, only this time they are chronic in nature. We almost never use our bodies to their full potential on a daily basis and most people are instead required to sit for hours upon hours each day; this leads to severe imbalance and weakness in the core muscles which support the back. Poor posture is the result of such core deficiencies and that in turn leads to even greater back problems. It’s a vicious cycle.
Solutions and Strategies for Greater Back Comfort
It isn’t feasible to change the way we work as a society as of yet but there are changes that can be implemented that can make all the difference.
1. Ergonomic Desk
These desks have a leg up on their traditional counterparts in that they are specifically designed with the human body in mind. Having the proper keyboard and desk height is crucial to avoiding improper posture that leads to back pain in addition to carpal tunnel syndrome over long periods of time. Adding an ergonomic desk to an existing office is a good investment in the long term health and well being of an individual.
2. Standing Desk
Initially it may seem counter intuitive to try to remedy back pain with standing; one would think that sitting would be the best option. Chronic back pain is often caused by a lack of options when it comes to movement and a standing desk is a great way to have the freedom to stretch those legs and engage that core while still remaining productive. For those with an entrepreneurial or self-employed job a standing desk may be used as the main desk to eliminate all unnecessary computer usage as well. For most people, a standing desk is best used as a secondary work station.
3. Height Adjustable Desk
Ergonomics can only take so much into account and there are many different heights to account for. Most desks are likely designed to fit the majority of people but for the most personalized fit a height adjustable desk beats all else. It’s more than just height, it’s also arm length and torso length that changes things. With a height adjustable desk, aches and pains can be eliminated through careful adjustment.
The initial investment in these desks will be more than repaid in productivity and vitality over the years to come; making the work environment a pleasant experience can do wonders for one’s efficiency and overall outlook on life.
