Acquaintances might tell you that your 9-to-5 office position is cushy and comfortable. While you might do less physical work than other types of employment, you can still suffer from the negative impact of sitting at a desk for eight or more hours a day. That doesn’t even include commutes or time spent decompressing on the couch.
The spine chiropractor at Mount Prospect Health Center can help you enjoy a better life with less pain. Discover what a spine alignment chiropractor in Newark, NJ, recommends for desk jobs below.
Taking a Closer Look at Your 9-to-5 Desk Job
Many people ascribe back and neck pain to people who work in physically demanding industries like construction, landscaping, and janitorial services. While such positions can certainly cause significant spinal conditions or chronic pain, they aren’t the sole professions that wreak bodily damage. An analysis featured in the National Library of Medicine found that up to 69% of office workers may struggle with back pain within a year.
What might contribute to such high statistical numbers? A closer inspection of an officer worker’s daily routine reveals:
- Constantly staring at electronic devices
- A work culture that promotes sitting for hours at a time
- Little to no movement throughout the day
- Repeating the same tiny motions over and over
Essentially, the human body’s design requires more activity and stimulation than the average desk job offers.
How Do Desk Jobs Influence Your Spinal Health?
Office jobs aren’t always as cushy as they seem, especially since stagnation can do more harm than good. What hidden spinal problems might your administrative or secretarial position cause? Explore some possibilities below.
Bad Posture
Think about it. How do you naturally sit when you sit at a desk? Your spine probably looks like a C, with your head thrust forward to look at a screen and your spine’s arch pressed against the back of the chair. Many people slouch into this typical “at-rest” position when they settle into their daily workload.
While it might feel comfortable in the short term, it can cause significant long-term consequences. Your spine can become misaligned, and your discs can gradually slip out of place. The tension in the same muscles may eventually cause persistent headaches.
Eye Strain
How is your computer monitor positioned? It should sit higher or lower if it isn’t at eye level. Otherwise, you can unknowingly strain your eyes and thrust your neck forward to view the screen properly.
Plus, the blue light from LED screens can increase optical fatigue. Add those harsh, yellow, fluorescent lights overhead, and you have the perfect recipe for migraines.
Repetitive Movements
Mouse clicks and swift typing on your keyboard are second nature to you. While they may seem small and inconsequential, they can eventually lead to arm and wrist strains, like carpal tunnel syndrome. You could develop similar conditions unless you keep your hands and wrists supported when you type or enter data.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Finally, desk jobs don’t typically encourage an active lifestyle. While some companies have adopted a more health-centric work culture, many more stick to the traditional expectations of parking oneself in a chair for the whole shift. You may not move from that spot until your lunch break or unless you need to get those copies over to Larry pronto.
Then, you might walk to your car and commute back home to decompress in your easy chair. A challenging workout is the last thing on your mind, but you need to get your blood flowing every day. Although a spine chiropractor near you from Mount Prospect Health Center might point out numerous issues, you don’t have to find a new way to bring home the bacon while staying healthy and mobile.
How a Spinal Chiropractor in Newark, NJ, Can Help
Chiropractic treatments cover various practices that target the musculoskeletal system. Your spinal chiropractor will first consult with you to learn about your health history and current spinal concerns. Then, they may attempt one or multiple treatment approaches to help you improve your comfort and mobility, including:
- Diagnostic tools to pinpoint the source of your discomfort
- Soft tissue manipulations
- Spinal adjustments to realign your spine
- Working with other providers to craft the best treatment plan for you
- Coaching you on habits you can practice at work and home
A clinical trial published on JAMA Network Open showed that receiving treatment from a chiropractor alongside typical medical care can significantly improve a patient’s pain or disability compared to just seeking medical services by themselves. Whether you seek solo chiropractic treatment or want to supplement it with your current plan, you could reap more effective results.
What You Can Do To Protect Your Spinal Health
While you await your chiropractic consultation, you can implement a few strategies to begin your healing journey. Who knows? These suggestions might make you look forward to your desk job more than ever before.
Improved Office Furniture
Take time to reset your office space to better meet your physical needs:
- Keep your monitor at eye level at all times.
- Purchase a standing desk or an adjustable accessory that accommodates standing.
- Replace your creaky old chair with one that supports your spine.
These changes should enable you to sit up completely straight without struggling or slumping.
Reduced Blue Light
If you work in an isolated office section, replace the overhead fluorescent lights with bulbs that mimic sunlight. This light might reduce headaches and eye strain. If you work in a cubicle space, purchase a lamp that can mimic sunlight.
You can also change your monitor’s display settings to have less blue light or wear glasses that filter blue light.
Short Stretch Sessions
Stretching in the morning, during your lunch break, and before bed gets your blood flowing and can reduce soreness or stiffness. It can also enhance other areas of your health. For example, a small study with results available from the National Library of Medicine found that stretching enhances sleep quality and efficiency.
You might also enjoy a mood boost or improved concentration as a result.
Exercise
Finally, you must integrate some exercise into your daily routine. Going for a stroll, jogging around the block, or lifting weights during your television time might do wonders for your daily comfort and mobility. Find an activity you enjoy that strengthens your body and helps you break a sweat.
The Benefits of Better Spine Care When Working a Desk Job
Improved spine health doesn’t just affect your physical health. It can also boost other areas of your life. You might reap the following benefits by adding chiropractic care and habitual changes to your lifestyle:
- Better posture: Not only does your back feel better, but you also look more confident to colleagues and superiors!
- Fewer headaches: Whether your headaches come from muscle tension or eye strain, you might effectively combat them and avoid the fatigue they cause.
- Vision improvements: Sometimes, spine support and quality lighting can do wonders for your vision.
- Better sleep quality: You could wake up feeling truly refreshed rather than achy, stiff, and fatigued.
- More energy: Better sleep, more flexibility, and improved comfort could translate into sustainable energy throughout the workday.
- Increased range of motion and mobility: You want to participate in activities with your kids, grandkids, and spouse. Moving freely helps you enjoy more laughter and hours of fun in familial and social circles.
Better spinal health can completely transform your daily experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering how chiropractic treatments for work injury and desk job discomfort work? We answered a handful of queries below to help you better understand.
How Many Work Hours Should I Stand?
You should stand for at least two of eight work hours at your office job. This habit can improve circulation, strengthen muscles, and keep your spine aligned.
Can a Chiropractor Fix My Posture?
A chiropractor can fix your posture by identifying poor postural habits, recommending habitual solutions to correct them, and using manipulations to encourage more strength and alignment. You might see results within a few weeks or months.
How Long Does It Take To Fix Incorrect Posture?
It can take up to four months to fix incorrect posture—less than half a year! Some patients see results within six weeks of starting treatment routines.
What Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Do?
A chiropractic adjustment can increase your range of motion, decrease stiffness, and encourage blood flow throughout your body. If you struggle with inflammation or pain in your spine, you might notice it begins fading with consistent adjustments and habit changes.
Contact Mount Prospect Health Center To Make Your Job Less Grueling
Our spine chiropractor at Mount Prospect Health Center is ready to help you live your best life. Call 973-485-2332 to book your initial consultation. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
If you work in law enforcement, you might benefit from treating a common police office work injury with help from one of our attentive practitioners in Newark, New Jersey.
