Your Posture is NOT Your Only Problem
‘It’s your posture’. Many of us have heard this line in one way or another. You may have been told by an allied health professional or a co-worker in the office that your “posture” is the cause of your neck pain, mid back pain or headaches.
And while yes, our posture can play a vital role in these aches and pains, it is never a simple black and white picture. There are many shades of grey that can be contributors to neck/mid back pain and discomfort.
Some of these shades of grey can include;
The length of time you spend in a certain position.
Your hydrations levels.
How much you move and challenge your body outside of your work life.
The human body is designed to move. It demands different kinds of movement and load in order to stay strong and maintain muscular endurance. Movement is also imperative so that the human body can perform the hundreds of thousands of processes required at a cellular level - every day.
To combat these factors and do our best to mitigate these aches and pains whilst in the office we suggest;
Moving constantly → setting an alarm at least every hour to get up and move around. It might be a few stretches or a walk to the kitchen or bathroom.
Ensuring you are well hydrated → at least 2L of water daily. To help we recommend any variety of herbal tea or adding electrolytes to your water.
Some form of resistance exercise → whether this is in the gym, Pilates, yoga or home workouts. Find something that you will enjoy, as this increases the chances of you sticking to it. Activating your muscles with these activities and increasing your strength and endurance will provide immense benefits.
Optimal desk set-up —> As mentioned above, your posture absolutely plays a role, so ensure your work space is set up well.
If you are unsure where to start, and feel that you need some support, we invite you to give us a call on 0491 737 782. Our team is looking forward to chatting with you.
In summary, the biggest take away here is to move your body as often as you can. Change positions, stand up, sit down, do stretches, take a breath… It all helps.
By Ashleigh Christie
