Stress isn’t the only type of pain that affects corporate wellness. This is according to a new study by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), based on surveys of more than 1,000 US employees who mostly work at a desk, which found that physical pain affects the wellbeing of the majority of office workers.
The results showed that two-thirds of employees have suffered from physical pain while on the job in the last six months, 25% of whom believe that it’s just a standard part of having an office job. The root of this pain is in the five hours or more a day most workers spend at their desks, as this is an extended period in which you might hunch over a desk, sit in an uncomfortable chair, stare at a computer monitor and use a computer mouse.
According to Rob Danoff, an AOA board-certified family physician with Aria Health System in Philadelphia, these work habits most likely boost your chances for physical pain. ‘Sitting at a desk all day can take a serious toll on your body, and with busy work schedules and full family lives, many office workers don’t seek help to prevent or treat their pain until it reaches the point where it interferes with their ability to do their job without the added distraction of constant pain,’ he said.
So how do you prevent pain and become more active throughout the workday? Firstly, don’t slouch. Sitting up straight instead of hunching over your computer engages your abdominal muscles and reduces strain on your back. You can improve your overall posture by putting both feet flat on the floor. Also, place your computer monitor in a spot where the top of the screen is at eye level. This will reduce strain on your neck muscles. You can also reduce strain on your wrists by keeping your elbows close to the body when using a mouse or typing, and making sure your wrists are not bending too far forwards or backwards.
Once you’ve got your desk posture sorted, set a reminder on your phone every 30 minutes as a reminder to take a stand-up-and-stretch break. If you need to speak to a colleague in the office, don’t just shoot them an email or call but, instead, walk to their desk to stretch your legs. If it’s going to be a long conversation, hold a walking meeting. Finally, if you have the choice between the lift and the stairs, get climbing! That way, you can get your blood flowing at the beginning of your day.
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