subject: How To Avoid Causing Back And Neck Pain At Work [print this page] Millions upon millions of Americans suffer daily from back pain. In many cases, this pain can be partially caused by a person's job. If you suffer from back pain, you need to be aware of the damage your work may be doing to your back and be mindful of how to avoid causing damage to your back. Even if you work in an office and avoid physical labor, there is still the possibility that you are causing back pain.
Avoiding Back Pain at Work
Studies have shown that up to 80 percent of people will have some form of back pain during their lives. Lower back pain is the second most common reason why Americans see their doctors. With cases of back pain approaching epidemic proportions, it is important for you to take preventative measures to avoid developing back pain that could be avoided. Here are a few steps you can take to avoid developing back problems at work:
* Maintain good posture throughout the day. Especially if you work at a desk, it is important to be mindful of how you are sitting and how that is affecting your back. Try to sit with your feet flat against the floor with your rear end all the way in the back of the chair. It is important to avoid slouching, as this will put an added strain on your back.
*Lift heavy objects properly. If your job involves heavy lifting, it is very important to lift objects the right way. Lift with your knees and tighten your core muscles to help take the strain off of your back. If something is too heavy, it is important to not push yourself and find someone else to help you lift it.
*Maintain physical activity. Exercising does two main things for your back. First, it helps you keep weight off, which lessens the strain on your back. Second, it helps to stretch out and strengthen your back muscles.
*Address stress. If you are stressed, the muscles in your body will tighten up and you will be more prone to injury.
Avoiding Neck Pain at Work
In addition to lower back pain, many people develop neck pain during their day at work. Here are a few tips to help you avoid developing neck pain at work:
*Avoid holding your head forward to read your computer. If your job includes looking at a computer screen for a number of hours, it is easy to strain your neck by leaning forward to read the screen. However, doing this for many hours at a time can seriously strain your neck muscles.
*Avoid repetitive arm and upper body movements. Repetitive movements with your arms or upper body can produce strain on your upper body and neck muscles.
*Adapt your workstation. Make sure your workstation does not put any additional stress on your neck. Your chair and computer monitor should be adjusted to the point where you will not need to crane your neck to read your screen.
