Musculo Skeletal Disorder (MSD) is a back problem which develops over time and can have a major impact on your wellbeing. Overtime, your body muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves can be affected, but what crazy behaviours are you engaging in to develop such a condition? Going to the office! Young office employees are most vulnerable to MSDs due to improper seating, especially when you sit for more than five hours at a stretch, and so working on your corporate wellness in this area is essential.
According to Parag Shastry, Ergonomic Expert from Godrej Interio, the first thing you need to do is sit-up straight. ‘Some people adopt the ‘slouching posture’ while working, which is very bad because over a period, it can cause MSD,’ Shastry says. ‘This can further lead to recurring pain, numbness, tingling and stiffening of various body muscles.’ He recommends that you adjust your chair height so your thighs are parallel to the ground, and your back is in an upright position.
That’s all well and good first thing in the morning, but what we all end up edging forward during the day, don’t we? Sitting on the edge of your chair while working on the computer places strain on back muscles and ligaments, and so Parag advises, ‘Try to sit all the way back at all times during work. If necessary, move your monitor closer or make the characters larger for easy viewing. Let the chair do its work of supporting your back so you can do your work more comfortably.’
Another thing you need to bear in mind is to avoid the “tuck”. This occurs when you lean forward when using the computer, as you will often find your feet drifting back to rest on the chair base, or you may be tucking your feet under the chair. Not only is leaning forwards bad for your back – as we’ve already covered – but the “tuck” pose leaves your feet without support while restricting your blood circulation. The ideal position is to sit back in the chair with your legs extended. This will help to improve your circulation and overall comfort. In fact, if you’re shorter than 5’4″, you may want to consider using a footrest to support your feet during long working hours.
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