There are so many people living with neck or back pain because they are not aware of the preventative measure that they can take to limit the effects it has on their overall health.
Here are some very simple steps you can take to protect yourself from some of the most commons triggers of back and neck pain and to help combat the effects of sitting still for long periods.
- Take regular breaks – Stand up and move around every 30 minutes
- Work in comfort – Assess your desk to support a comfortable position to minimise the risk of workplace injury due to poor posture and repetitive physical stress (see images below for correct sitting and standing desk set up)
- Stay active – Activities such as swimming, walking or yoga can be less demanding on your body, while keeping you mobile. All movement and exercise will improve muscle tone, improve circulation and posture
- Ditch the tech – Sitting with your head forward of your body when using smartphones or ipads can put unnecessary strain on your neck and back. Be aware of your posture when using such devices, don’t hunch over small screens and try keeping your head straight above your body, or position your screen in front of you so you’re not compelled to look down. Ensure you are never in the same position for a prolonged period