5 Common Aches and Pains Caused by a Poor Workstation Setup

Do you work in an office all day? If so, then you’re probably sitting in front of the computer 90% of the time at a desk you’ve learned to love. You may have even have figured out the exact height of your chair to achieve maximum comfort. But if you suffer from these common aches and pains, it may be a sign your workstation is to blame:

#1: Headaches

Are you constantly plagued by tension headaches at work? The solution isn’t always to pop a pill or turn down the brightness of your screen. The solution may be as simple as reconfiguring your computer monitor. If you have to constantly strain the muscles in your neck to work on your computer, not only is that going to lead to muscle pain, but it’s also going to hurt your head. Your computer screen should be positioned directly in front of you, not too low or too high, and your chair should face it at a direct angle. Many monitor stands are too low, which forces our necks to carry our heads all day. The next time you’re at work, adjust the height of your computer.

#2: Lower Back Pain
A chair may look comfortable and come equipped with a number of fancy levers and buttons, but if you don’t feel comfort and support while sitting in it, you’re going to have back problems down the road. Considering you’re spending most of your time on your chair, it’s absolutely crucial that you can sit comfortably with your lower back and shoulder blades pressed up against the back of the chair. Lower back pain can be caused by our natural tendency to slouch, which is greatly mitigated by leaning back against the chair.

#3: General Muscle Aches
Do you feel a general sense of malaise, achiness, and muscle pain throughout the week, and feel completely restored and pain-free when the weekend comes around? This is a pretty big warning that your workstation needs an ergonomic makeover. Your body is trying to tell you that it’s not comfortable. It might be time to ask your office manager for an upgrade.

#4: Shoulder and Wrist Pain
Sometimes, the worst pain can happen in the smallest body parts. Carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis are common conditions caused by improper posture and height and distance of your chair. Our wrists have a natural tendency to rest on an angle, but if you’re constantly required to lay them out flat while typing, the compression in the carpal tunnel nerve can cause pain, tingling, numbness, and swelling. Ensure that your elbows are supported and are resting naturally on the armrests to prevent shoulder pain, and switch your straight keyboard for a split keyboard.

#5: Neck and Spine Pain
Fixing your desk is only the beginning. If you’re prone to back pain, neck pain, and headaches, it may be time to visit Symtrio chiropractic clinic in Kelowna. You may benefit from spinal decompression if the root of your pain is a degenerated disc. The benefit of chiropractic care is that while you receive manual manipulation, you will also be shown how to take an active role in properly maintaining your physical health through stretching and strengthening exercises.

If you suffer from chronic headaches and back, neck, and shoulder pain, it’s important to speak to your office manager about setting up an ergonomic workstation. You will likely also benefit from visiting Symtrio Chiropractic Clinic to find immediate relief from even the worst chronic conditions. Book an appointment today or contact us for more information.

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