06 Dec Preventing Injuries Associated with a Sedentary Lifestyle

Preventing Injuries Associated with a Sedentary Lifestyle

If you work a  9 – 5 office job, you probably know that sitting in an office chair all day can cause serious back pain. At some point or another, we all come to a day when we are sitting for a long period of time and end the day feeling like somehow our minimal activity caused maximum damage to our bodies. You may have thought, “Why is that? I wasn’t lifting or moving heavy objects all day.”

One of the major risks of a sedentary lifestyle is back pain, but there are other dangers you may be facing as well. Sitting at a desk for extended periods of time and lack of physical activity can cause lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain, obesity, wrist strain, eye strain, increase in blood pressure, and decrease in skeletal muscle mass.

No need to quit your day job (just yet)! Lucky for you the staff of Lake Country Physical Therapy in Canandaigua is here to share tips on how to reduce the damages to a sedentary lifestyle:

• Staying active might be the most reasonable tip, and yet it is commonly overlooked. When workers experience back-pain from sitting all day, their initial reaction is to lay in bed until the pain has reduced. Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine will counteract some of the damaging effects a sedentary lifestyle could have on your back and overall health.
• Be the voice of change in your workplace. You’re not the only one at risk in your workplace, your employers and colleagues are too. There are so many potential areas for change in the workplace. You can start with something simple such as bringing in a lumbar pillow, passing on the elevator, or using your break to take a walk.
• While working, keep your feet flat on the ground and your computer in reach. Keep your head up and look down at your device with your eyes. Try to avoid slouching and maintain good posture.
• Are you an employer? Talk to your employees about how they can prevent injury at the workplace. Motivate them to exercise outside of work and encourage them to take small breaks to stay active. For bosses who want to go the extra mile, literally, integrating treadmill desks in the office is an awesome idea.

Lastly, speaking with a physical therapist about any increases in pain you have noticed is always a good idea. While we always suggest to prevent injury and maintain an active lifestyle, a physical therapist will be able to detect if there is a more serious issue you should be concerned of. If you are looking for a physical therapist in Canandaigua, contact Lake Country today.