Ask the Expert Archive Week 2
Avoiding Problems Associated with a Desk Job
Neck ache, eye strain, carpal tunnel syndrome. Sitting for hours at a computer can be hazardous to your health. Physiotherapist Karen Webb shows us how to avoid the problems associated with a desk job.
Many of us sit for long hours at desk and computers. Common complains include low back pain, stiff neck, muscle tension in the shoulder/neck area and wrist and hand problems. There are simple steps we can take to help minimize and to prevent many of these problems. Our spines have a natural inward curve in our neck and in our lower back. When sitting you need to ensure that you support that natural inward curve in your lower back. If your chair does not provide adequate support then you need to add support. This can be in the form of a lower back roll which is a foam cylinder and that's placed right in the back area. Or a portable back support or even a rolled up towel.
When sitting in the chair make sure the seat of the chair supports you from your hips to your knees and that your feet are flat on the floor. If sitting at a computer you want to sit approximately an arms length back from the computer and you want the top line of print level with your eyes. Keep your head and your neck in an upright position. If you find yourself poking your head forward then you need to alter the position of your monitor. To position your keyboard, relax your shoulders, have your arms by your side, bend your elbow to about ninety degrees and your forearms parallel to the floor. Finally interrupt sitting, get up every hour or sooner to take a stretch break. Stretch your arms and your hands, stretch your neck and your back and don't forget to stretch your eyes by looking away from your monitor.
Karen Webb's book Body Basics For Life Hypothyroidism If you want more information on hypothyroidism .. you can contact the Thyroid Foundation of Canada at 1-800-267-8822. Or check out their web site at: http://home.ican.net/~thyroid/Canada.html Karen Webb is a physiotherapist in Stratford Ontario and author of several books including "Body Basics for Life." It's published by Birchcliff Publishing
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