Do you have an office job and feel in pain at the end of every workday? You aren’t alone. It isn’t a secret that sitting all day is poor for your health, but did you realize that it can be putting unfavorable strain on your neck? The way you sit at your desk and look at your computer can cause you to have neck issues. Here’s how to remedy it.
Monitor Position
You’re staring at your monitor for a majority of the day, so you may as well make sure it is placed in the optimal position for your body. You want to be sure that the monitor is level with the top of the screen. This will not only be good for your neck, but also provide less strain to your eyes. You will also want to be sure the font is large enough to read easily so you don’t tilt or slouch forward to read.
Seating Position
Hopefully, your employer has provided an ergonomic chair that supports your spine in all of the right ways. Contrary to popular belief, you want the back of your seat to be slightly reclined at a 100 degree angle, not 90 degrees. Additionally, it is important that your feet touch the ground. This will give your whole body the proper support it needs. Keep your shoulders as relaxed as possible to keep strain off of your neck.
Stress Management
Stress can exacerbate neck pain. When we are stressed, we raise our shoulders to bring more attention to the task at hand. Consider taking meditative breaks throughout the day when you are feeling a high amount of stress.
Do you like to move it, move it?
One of the best things you can do is to change up the way you are holding your body. Get up and walk around the office. Say hi to your coworkers, grab a glass of water or simply walk around the building. This will take the pressure off of the way you have been holding your neck. It can help with reducing the tension.
If you continue to experience neck problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to Core PT! In the state of Iowa, most insurance companies don’t require that you have your doctor’s permission before you see a PT, so you are free to make an appointment directly with us.