Suffering from neck pain?

Today’s modern living often entails hours of driving and hunching over workstations, which can play havoc with our necks. So it is notsurprising that neck pain is the second most common condition that chiropractors treat. Whilst neck pain is less common than low back pain, millions of people experience neck pain and related arm pain at some stage in their lives and therefore seek chiropractic care.

Dining ‘al desko’?

If you work at a desk, it’s all too easy to stay sitting all day long only taking short, infrequent breaks and even staying put to eat lunch. The problem is that staying seated in the same position places strain on your back.

Ralph Pottie, Aligned Health Care chiropractor says: “Many people are working longer and harder than ever before, however, it is important to realise the implications of this on the health and well-being of your back after a full eight hours or more sitting in the same position. Getting away from your desk at lunchtime and at regular intervals throughout your working day is vital, even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes. Otherwise, a simple stretch can relieve built-up tension in your lower back after sitting for a long time. In the long run, the result is that you will ultimately feel better and be more productive for the remainder of the day.”

To help prevent the effects of back pain while at work, Aligned Health Care offers the following advice:-

• Don’t sit for more than 30-40 minutes – stand up to stretch, change position and walk around a little
• Relax when sitting into your chair, making sure you have your bottom against the seat back with your shoulder blades are touching the back rest of the chair
• Your seat should be adjusted so that your feet are flat on the ground, your knees bent, but with a slope from your hips to your knees. You should end up with your hips higher than your knees and your eyes level with the top of the computer screen. You may need to put the screen on a stand or even on a ream of paper to bring it to the right height
• Arms should be flat and your elbows level with the desk or table you are using. Use a seat with arm rests
• Remove any obstacles from under your desk to ensure you have enough leg room

According to Daisy, Aligned Health Care chiropractor, one of the best exercises you can do to keep your low back flexible during the working day is the pelvic rotation or the “hoola hoop” Call us on 01292 737390 if you have any questions or need guidance on any of this.