Workplace environments and back pain

It is no surprise that neck and back pain is becoming increasingly more common in our workplaces. After all, we’re working longer, sitting longer, and using computers more than ever! In fact, for the years of 2014-2015, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that ‘an estimated 3.7 million Australians had chronic back problems.’ At the time, that was almost 1 in 6 Australians suffering from chronic back problems.

While sitting and working aren’t the only cause for neck and low back pain, they certainly contribute to some of the aches and pains we can suffer from.

Here are some simple things you can look out for when working at a desk:

  1. Make sure that your desk height is suitable for you. Ideally, your shoulders and elbows should be 90 degrees to one another.
  2. Are you using a phone often? If looking at a phone screen, make sure to tilt it up to eye level. If taking phone calls, try using a headset if possible. This prevents your neck from tilting awkwardly for a prolonged period while taking a call.
  3. Try a sit to stand desk if it is available. Simply changing to a standing position every few hours can help greatly.
  4. Does your chair have lumbar support? If not you might want to consider wrapping a towel tightly and placing it at the base of your low back. This can help you sit straighter and prevent your back from taking too much strain while sitting for too long.
  5. Do gentle stretches when you can. For example, if your neck is tight, you can try sitting on one hand and tilting your head to the other side – then, use your free hand to gently pull the neck and stretch the upper trapezius muscle.

While these tips can help, they may not always be enough depending on workload and work environments. If you’re suffering from chronic back pain, let us help you. North Adelaide Chiropractic is located conveniently on Tynte Street in North Adelaide. Our chiropractor Dr Joshua will provide you with a personalised care plan to make sure your back pain goes away as quickly and naturally as possible.