Long days at the office may be killing you, according to a new study conducted by Active Working Community Interest Company and the U.K. Department of Health.
More and more employees are sitting at their desks for long periods of time. This can wreak havoc on your spine, but even worse, it can cause premature death. Experts recommend making sure you get up often and walk around. This allows your legs to stretch out and the blood flow through your body. The longer you choose to sit still, the higher the chances you will start to experience musculoskeletal pain.
In order to combat this issue in workplaces, stand up and work more often. By choosing a sit/stand workstation, you won’t have the same effects as if you sat at a desk all day. You also want to talk to your chiropractor about certain treatments that can be done to help keep your spine and other muscles flexible. If your job demands that you sit at a desk all day, you want to work with a chiropractor to keep your body limber.
Back Pain and Fatigue
Back pain is a common problem of those who tend to sit for long periods of time. This can happen both at the workplace and at home where you sit in front of the TV for hours. In order to get relief from the back pain, a chiropractor can work with your body to help it heal itself. A chiropractor uses spinal manipulation to help get the body back into its natural position. They don’t just eliminate the symptoms but they get to the root of the problem.
Get Off Your Medication
For those who suffer from back pain, pain relievers are a common go-to treatment. Unfortunately, some medications have harmful side effects that can actually be worse than the back pain. The longer you take the medicine, the risks tend to increase. When you choose an alternative method of treatment like chiropractic care, you do not have to worry about harmful medications. Many medications only mask the problem and do not get to the root of the problem. This is why many people who suffer from back pain get addicted to the medication because they are so used to taking it.
Accurate Diagnosis
Working with a chiropractor allows you to get an accurate diagnosis of your pain. Because chiropractors are doctors and spend many years in school learning about back pain and what causes it, you can feel confident you will be able to come away with answers. Some chiropractors will choose to perform diagnostic testing to make sure there are not bigger issues than just sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Preventative Measures
Due to their experience, they can also recommend preventative measures so you do not experience back pain in the future. One way to avoid back pain from prolonged sitting is by getting a back support. Many office chairs do not provide the proper support for employees. It is important to find a chair that works for you. This can make a huge difference in the way your back feels day after day. Your chiropractor can also work with your employer to discuss other ways to help keep you moving. They can access your job and form alternative ways to get it done without having to sit for long periods of time.
When you have a position that requires you to sit for a length of time, you need to visit your chiropractor before you begin to experience pain. The long hours of sitting could be harming your back without you even knowing it. This will help reduce and possibly eliminate any back pain from occurring.
