The Desk Life Can Be a Pain in the Neck... And Back

Whether in an office or at home, working at a desk 40 hours a week can do a number on your neck and back. While sitting all day might feel relaxing, it's not. The human body isn’t designed to sit all day, and it may be silently screaming at you to seek chiropractic care so you can feel better.

What All that Sitting Does to Your Back and Neck

Sitting strains your neck and spine a lot. It disengages your core muscles, which are critical to a healthy spine, shortens your hamstrings, and can seriously stress your neck muscles and discs if you have poor posture. Your hips and lower back tighten, making it easier to slouch because your pelvis is now tilted backwards. This tilt causes you to lean forward to counterbalance, and while you may not be slouching while leaning, it sure makes it easier to slouch.

And while all this is going on, you're putting wear and tear on all your spinal discs and joints that standing and moving around doesn't. Cue more pain and loss of range of motion. And then add more sitting at home because you're exhausted from not moving all day at work, and your posture and pain levels worsen. 

Signs Your Workplace Ergonomics Need An Adjustment

You'd figure sitting at your desk all day would leave you with lots of energy to seize the last few hours before bed, but how many of you feel drained by the time you punch out for the day? Yes, there's mental fatigue, but there's a lot going on inside your body while you sit for hours on end. It's physically exhausting for your body to sit still for so long. And fatigue is just one sign that sitting is harming you.

More Signs Your Body is Asking for Help:

• Headaches
  
• Back pain
  
• Neck pain
  
• Leg pain
  
• Hip pain
  
• Knee pain
  
• Carpal tunnel
  
• And more
  

How Chiropractic Can Help

You don't have to figure out workplace ergonomics and good seated posture on your own. Chiropractors are deeply knowledgeable on how the body is supposed to move, and optimal positioning for when the body is at rest in a seated position. Chiropractors can also help coax your spine back into proper alignment, helping you win the battle against bad posture.

Back Adjustments - It took a while to reshape your spine into the hunchback of Notre Dame, but it won't take nearly as long to restore a healthy curve. It will take multiple adjustments to make it easier to maintain a healthy, pain-free posture. The number varies from person to person, and the severity of your unique condition.  Once proper alignment is achieved, chiropractors may recommend maintenance visits to maintain optimal alignment and overall spinal health.

Neck Adjustments - Since your head is heavy and can put quite the strain on your neck, chiropractors can perform neck adjustments (often referred to as cervical adjustments) to help with neck and back pain, headaches associated with poor posture, and even help your brain function more efficiently. 

Ergonomics Guidance - There are so many ways to make your workspace healthier and promote great posture. You could easily spend thousands after going down the internet rabbit hole, or you could seek guidance from your chiropractor on the most helpful and research-backed desks, chairs and other hardware (or cushy things) that match an ergonomic style you'd love. 

The power is in your hands - or tuchus - to rock that desk life.