Lower Back Pain In The Office

Research work in this article reveals that there is a direct correlation between working with computers for long hours and neck and back issues. The main reason is simply a poor sitting posture and improper ergonomic arrangements in the office. Employers need to take care of employees who are required to work with computers for long hours through implementing OHS practices to prevent them from lower back pain in the office. Workplace exercise can be of immense help for those sitting throughout the day to avoid back and neck soreness, but also diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.

Lower Back Pain In The Office

We have some excellent information below about alleviating back issues while sitting

Office workers are in pain – and businesses need to do more to help them.

At least, that’s the finding of a new report published in the new edition of Work: A Journal Of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, which found “a direct correlation” between the time spent at a computer and the likelihood of experiencing musculoskeletal pain.

The problem of office workers experiencing this type of pain is nothing new, but this is yet another report outlining how businesses need to introduce OHS practices into their workplace to avoid this type of problem.

The University of Sydney research surveyed more than 900 office workers and found 85% who spent more than eight hours a day working with a computer experienced neck pain, 74% experienced shoulder pain and 70% reported lower back pain.

Lead research author Karin Griffiths said given changes in office culture over the past few decades, things like better ergonomic design for seating haven’t helped.

“In fact, recent research shows that prolonged sitting and the lack of physical activity associated with computer work is the main problem, and may be contributing to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity along with musculoskeletal pain,” she said.

Executives and professional workers were the most affected.

“Anyone who works in an office knows that whatever your occupation and level of seniority, you’re likely to be spending long hours every day at a computer.”

Businesses need to make sure they keep their employees fit and healthy – and that includes workplace exercises.

Here a few you can implement in your own business:

1. Mix up sitting and standing workstations

This may not work for every business, but you should at least encourage it. If there is any point at all where employees can stand up rather than sit down, you should be encouraging it.

This can include meetings as well. Leadership experts often say standing up is a great way to get a meeting underway. Not only will everyone get a little more exercise, but the agenda will certainly move quicker.

2. Create a lunch room environment

There’s a reason why companies like Google have large rooms where employees can eat lunch together. It promotes community among staff and, also, exercise. If staff have to leave their desk to prepare and eat lunch, they’re moving around, stimulating blood flow which will also help with their productivity.

3. Stand up and stretch

Having your staff stand up and stretch at certain intervals may seem corny and annoying, but it will allow employees to not only have a quick break but avoid those nasty musculoskeletal problems this study is warning about.

4. Sit on some balls

Exercise balls can serve as great seats instead of normal chairs – and they promote good posture too.

5. Invest in some headsets

Private Media chief executive and SmartCompany founder Amanda Gome is well known for her love of headsets, and there’s a good reason why – they help avoid neck and back pain. If you’re on the phone a lot, and propping the headset up with your shoulder, you are no doubt causing pain to your neck muscles.

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If you are sitting at a computer throughout the day, then you might soon be a victim of musculoskeletal problems. Lower back pain in the office is now a common phenomenon, and to counter the effect of the problems, it is time that organizations make it mandatory for their employees undertaking deskwork to do some exercises in between their working hours.

Included among the suggested implementations are mixing up standing and sitting workstations; having a spacious lunch room for interaction between workers; stand up, stretching, and sitting on a ball exercises; and providing proper headsets for those engaged in telecommunication. So, do not be alarmed if you see some gym balls in your office to improve your health at work.

Back Pain When Sitting? Poor posture can lead to back pain, muscle imbalances and other conditions. Learn how to sit with correct posture to avoid getting lower back pain from sitting too much. By Jesse Cannone – leading fitness trainer and back rehab expert of LoseTheBackPain.com