5 Ways to Protect Your Spine at Work

HEALTH, 22 Dec 2014

Dr. Edward F. Group, Global Healing Center – TRANSCEND Media Service

Regardless if you have a job that requires a lot of heavy lifting, or you spend most of your days at a desk, or do something in between, back injuries are something you always want to avoid. They can happen really easily from physical strains, and many people don’t realize that they can happen just as easily under conditions that don’t immediately appear as strenuous. It doesn’t matter where you work or what you do, protecting your spine is a must.

Five Ways to Protect Your Spine at Work

Sitting all day has been linked to an increased risk for metabolic syndrome, a catch-all term for problems that include obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. [1] Not only that, prolonged sitting can put your spine in a vulnerable position and lead to problems. It’s a good idea to get up and move around, stretch, and be mindful of your posture. Let’s look at five ways to reduce your risk for back injuries at work.

  1. Fidget More

While the extra movement may provide a slight boost in metabolic rate, some research has found that fidgeting and moving throughout the day might also provide benefit for reducing spine injury. Doing back stretches and small twists at your desk can help your spine’s flexibility and strength. [2]

  1. Use a Standing Desk

Some times it just feels good to stand up. Why? Because standing can help reduce lower back pain by reducing the pressure placed on the spine following a sitting position. If this describes you, investing in a standing desk may be helpful. We actually have a team member at Global Healing Center who uses a standing workstation. He’s said that the ability to move around in his area helps his creativity.

  1. Be Conscious of Your Posture

The old school marm was right, sit up! Whether you’re walking or sitting, always be conscious of how you are positioning your spine! Are you slumped over and leaning toward your computer to see your work? Your chair is shaped the way it’s shaped for a reason. Your back should be rested against your chair’s back support, and your computer should be above your waist but not over your head. [3]

  1. Push, Don’t Pull

A lot of experts agree, when it comes to heavy lifting, make sure that you push instead of pull. Pulling puts a lot of tension on your the spine, with pushing allows you to use more arm and leg strength. Whether you are arranging office furniture or simply decorating, always push large, heavy objects to avoid unnecessary strain.

  1. Foot Orthotics

If you’ve already had back pain on the job, foot orthotics are a tool that can dramatically improve the quality if your day, especially after an injury. They’ve been found to be helpful for reducing symptoms associated with back pain and just making your spine feel more at ease and less tense. [4]

One Final Thought

These are just a few best practices you can be mindful of to help keep your spine in a good spot. A lot of people find that visiting a chiropractor or massage therapist helps them maintain good spine and back health too. [5]

References:

  1. Hamilton MT, Hamilton DG, Zderic TW. Role of low energy expenditure and sitting in obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. 2007 Nov;56(11):2655-87.
  2. Johannsen DL, Welk GJ, Sharp RL, Flakoll PJ. Differences in daily energy expenditure in lean and obese women: the role of posture allocation. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008 Jan;16(1):34-9. doi: 10.1038/oby.2007.15.
  3. Se-yeon Park and Won Gyu Yoo. Effects of the Sustained Computer Work on Upper Cervical Flexion Motion. J Phys Ther Sci. Mar 2014; 26(3): 441-442.
  4. Ferrari R. Effect of customized foot orthotics in addition to usual care for the management of chronic low back pain following work-related low back injury. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2013 Jul-Aug;36(6):359-63. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.06.002.
  5. Carolyn M. Gatty, Mynde Turner, Dinice J. Buitendorp, Heather Batman. The effectiveness of back pain and injury prevention programs in the workplace. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation. Volume 20, Number 3. 2003. 257-266.

____________________________

Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

Go to Original – globalhealingcenter.com

 

Share this article:


DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.


Comments are closed.