Workers Stand Up For Back Pain Relief In The Workplace

Back pain is one of the primary causes of absence from work. Commonly back pain is caused by strains associated with poor manual handling of objects at work or lengthy periods of activity that an employee is not normally accustomed to. For employees who have more sedentary tasks, such as computer or desk work, there is a tendency for these employees to take fewer breaks and to exercise less. Both of these factors can cause serious long-term back problems. A revolutionary thought has meant that workers stand up for back pain relief in the workplace.

Workers Stand Up For Back Pain Relief In The Workplace

More workers are standing rather than sitting to get back pain relief in the workplace.

At workplaces across the country, more and more employees are standing while working, or exercising while working. Two Boston-area companies say the trend is paying off, with healthier and more productive employees.

At Blue Cross Blue Shield in Boston, Pat Tarentino is working while walking, using a treadmill desk.

“It’s great when you are starting to feel lethargic in the middle of the day. If there’s a spot available, you jump on and it energizes you and helps you keep focused,” said Tarentino.

There are six treadmill desks at BCBS offices. Employees sign up for an hour, burning calories and helping their heart while they work.

“You can almost not get on the treadmills. You have to book it in advance. It’s terrific,” said BCBS employee Susan Goldman.

Blue Cross Blue Shield installed the walk stations as part of a holistic program for their employees. It’s giving some associates a leg up on a competition tracking how many steps they take each day. Tarentino logged in 7.499 steps.

“They find they are more alert and engaged as they are getting their daily work done. At the same time they are trying to improve their own fitness,” said BCBS Chief Human Resources Director Jason Robart.

Studies show that desk workers who stood during the work day had lower levels of stress and anxiety, and increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

At TripAdvisor in Needham, a group of employees have pushed their chairs aside.

“You really do focus on your work because your energy is always at a higher level than if you were sitting. If you are sitting you can fall into a kind of trance and stop paying attention to your work. If you are standing, you’ve got a purpose,” said Trip Advisor’s Cindy Roche.

Not everyone stands, but those who do are hooked.

“I think it’s changing the way I feel. It helps with back pain and it improves posture,” said TripAdvisor’s Amanda Jones.

The trend has even made its way into the conference room.

“We all stand for our meetings. We have all but eliminated cellphones, distractions from computers, and it makes us have to interact and give eye attention to each other,” said TripAdvisor’s Jennifer Ramcharan.

more of article here

Sitting or remaining in the same position or posture for lengthy periods of time is likely to have detrimental effects on your health and cause problems such as back pain. If you sit at a computer desk without regular breaks, and maintain a poor posture, then you are inevitably asking for trouble.

Research has shown that if workers stand up for back pain relief in the workplace that they will generally have fewer back pain problems compared to workers with a more sedentary work style. Exercise regularly at work to ensure that you can keep your back in a good condition and prevent being plagued by back pain. If you have to lift items, then remember to use proper manual handing techniques. If you normally sit at work, but could easily stand instead, give it a try as you will be amazed at how much better you will feel.

This video about back pain is from from medical alert WBALTV with guest Jesse Cannone C.F.T. – from the Healthy Back Institute.

If you have an aching back, you want relief—fast! Here are some tips that can provide just that by Dr. Vijay Vad, M.D hospital for special surgery offical PGA & pro-tennis tour doctor.