Millions of people work in offices and that means spending long periods in a seated position, which can have an impact on a person’s overall health & well-being. Office syndrome is a name given to neck, spine and back issues that are caused by sitting for extended periods, which is why most offices have ergonomic chairs.
Poor seating posture
The sad fact is, most people have poor seating posture and this puts added strain on the neck, spine and lower back.
Potential symptoms
There are indeed many potential symptoms that may include:
- Neck pain
- Lower backache
- Numbness and tingling of fingers and toes
- Strained muscles and tendons
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Dry eyes
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
Any number of these conditions can come together and over a period of time, this can lead to depression.
Potential treatments
Treatments can be varied; it might be physical manipulation by a certified physio, which would include treatment for neck sprain and lower backache. Rather than looking at treatments, the physio wants to get to the root cause and by focusing on this, effective treatment is usually the remedy. Physiotherapy is the preferred treatment, rather than turning to medications; if you work in a busy office and you have been suffering aches and pains, we advise you to make an introductory appointment with an established physio and let the healthcare professional examine you. By asking a few questions, the physio can get a clear picture of your daily habits, then he/she can recommend treatment sessions.
Specific exercises
We often drift into bad habits and they can be very difficult to break, such as the way you sit when working with a computer; an established physiotherapist can show you effective exercises that, when performed regularly, will alleviate the pain. There are, for example, exercise routines that you can do while at work and they only take a few minutes. Visiting a local physio educates you about your body and this is new knowledge that stays with you for the rest of your life.
Tips to prevent the onset of office syndrome
If you want to take a proactive approach, the following can prevent office syndrome:
- Adopt a good seating posture – Sit in an upright position with your shoulders set back.
- Adjust your seating position often – This reduces the strain on specific muscle groups.
- Include a daily exercise regime – All major muscle groups need a daily workout.
- Maintain a correct distance between you and your digital screen.
- Shift your focus often – Every 10-15 minutes, move your gaze from the screen and focus on something outside the window.
You can stretch your legs periodically and even do a few exercises while seated, which will help you to relax.
When you are suffering pain and discomfort from being seated for long periods, book a session with a local physio and see what the health professional has to say.
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Eamon