According to data, 51% of the UK’s younger generation aged 16 to 24 reportedly have poor posture. In addition to that, more than 55% of the adult generation are bearing the brunt of years of poor posture.
Statistics also indicate that the adult population with chronic back pain first experienced this at work. In other words, the workplace accounts largely for many cases of back pain and poor posture in the UK. Therefore, to avoid becoming a sufferer, here are some things you can do to ensure good posture while you work.
There is a reason chiropractors recommend ergonomic chairs in the workplace. In the office, or whether you work remotely, the long sitting hours tend to put a strain on the spine.
However, the ergonomic chair is purposely designed to provide adequate support for the back. The human spine has a natural curvature, which manufacturers bore in mind during the ergonomic chair design process.
Finding a height-adjustable chair can benefit your input and output at work. Getting a good one may be quite an investment, but all the same, it is recommended.
It helps to remember that the cost of medical care for back pain is always higher than the investment made in purchasing an ergonomic chair. Apart from the chair, it is also beneficial to consider the desk you will be working from.
Getting a height-adjustable office desk is as important as the chair. You will find e-stores selling quality products like the uplift desk for office use with an online search. They are also ideal for your home office if you work remotely.
Ideally, any computer used for work or other activity should be at a direct eye level. It may not be healthy to lower your head and neck to see the screen.
If that is what you find yourself doing, you may want to use a computer stand to enhance your vision and, more importantly, to safeguard your neck and back. According to chiropractors, people who use laptops are more at risk since it is usually used below eye level, even when placed on a desk.
If you’re not too keen on the laptop stand, you can try using an external display that connects to the laptop. This way, your laptop height deficiency issue can be addressed.
More so, you may want to avoid placing your laptop on your knees or lap when working. The desktop computer is high enough when placed on a table and may not put too much pressure on your upper back muscles.
The correct way to sit at your office desk involves placing your feet or shoes flat on the floor, with both thighs positioned perpendicular to the upper body. While seated in a correct position, the back remains comfortably straight against the chair.
If you are seated, but your feet do not touch the ground, it could mean that the chair is not ideal for your stature. An immediate solution may be to get a footstool, but a more permanent solution rests with an appropriate chair.
On the other hand, if you are very tall and your legs do not feel comfortably positioned on the ground, you might need a seat with a higher adjustment room. Experts say it is wrong to be hunched behind the desk. Additionally, your elbows need to lie on both sides of the armrest to avoid exerting pressure on the shoulder and back muscles.
It may be too uncomfortable to take frequent short breaks in an office setting shared with colleagues. However, according to posture experts, it is vital to do so, as it provides an opportunity for your back to rest from a ‘locked’ position. If you have an office to yourself, you can take as many breaks as needed, as long as the pauses do not affect your productivity.
Taking these breaks is a necessary activity to release the muscles and joints from one position. Sitting for too long can cause tension in the body, resulting in muscle spasms. Therefore, the correct thing to do is stretch for about a minute or two when taking those breaks.
Maintaining a good posture is critical to your overall well-being. When you learn to be conscious about maintaining a good posture, it becomes a habit you will be thankful to have adopted.
