Extended Sitting at a Desk Job can Cause Back Problems

Extended Sitting at a Desk Job can Cause Back Problems

Extended sitting at your desk job can have a negative impact on your back. Back problems from sitting are increasingly common, with more and more people working sedentary jobs. While some changes, like using a standing desk, may help, sitting for long periods of time can cause a great deal of pain down the road.

Desk Job

It’s important to make sure that your desk job isn’t causing you harm or injury. Working a desk

job doesn’t mean that you can’t get the proper exercise to keep your back and body healthy. By getting up and moving around frequently, you can head off many of the problems that come with a desk job.

Extended Sitting

The problem isn’t the job itself, though that may be a source of stress. It’s the extended sitting that causes back issues. Your back is designed to flex, bend and move while it supports the body. Sitting in one position for too long, especially without proper exercise, puts a severe strain on the critical structures of the spine. If you’re going to be sitting for extended periods of time, make sure that your chair is not only comfortable but that it gives your back the proper amount of support. You should be able to sit with your feet on the floor, with your hips at about the same level as your knees. You should be able to sit completely against the back of the chair so that it provides proper support, and your forearms should rest comfortably on the armrests.

Back Problems From Sitting

Even the most comfortable chair won’t prevent back problems if you aren’t moving around during the day. Regular movement relieves stress on the muscles. Every 20-30 minutes, you should get up, move around and stretch. By keeping the muscles limber, you can avoid most of the back problems from sitting. Visit Alpha Care for more tips on taking care of your back and your overall health.