Make Your Office Back Friendly

 

 If you’re like many people, you probably spend much of your day sitting at a desk. This sedentary behaviour puts you at increased risk for spending prolonged time in poor posture, potentially causing pain and discomfort. Few easy tips that will go a long way in helping your back feel better at work.

• Desk 

Make sure your workspace has:

• Stable desk (not wobbly).
• At a good height (28″-30″ above the floor is suitable for most adults).
• Large enough for your computer and has surface space for writing and other tasks.
• Not so large that you have to over-reach to do your work. This can cause excessive strain on the spine.

 

• Chair

Use a well-constructed ergonomic chair to help reduce fatigue and discomfort, increase your blood flow, and reduce the risk of injury to your neck and spine.

Make sure your office chair:

• Has a good backrest that provides lumbar support.
• Can recline (sitting upright at a 90º angle is actually not good for your spine, 100º-110º is better).
• Is not too high (your feet should be flat on the floor).
• Can rotate or swivel so that you can easily switch from task to task.

 

Extra Set-Up Tip! 

All other pieces of furniture and equipment must be positioned to accommodate that perfect position. It might require stacking several books under the computer screen to bring it even to head level. The screen must be at eye level and the user should sit directly in front of the screen. A sliding keyboard attachment under the desk might be beneficial.

• Computer

Since most office work is done on computers, where your equipment is placed can make a difference in how your back feels when you are at work. Try the following:

• Tilt the keyboard down and slightly away from you for better wrist posture.
• Make sure your mouse is close enough so that you can use it with your arms relaxed and as close to your body as possible.
• Place the monitor directly in front of you at eye level, not off to one side, to avoid neck and eye strain.
• If using a laptop, consider getting an external monitor or keyboard (or both). This will allow you to move each of these components separately to create a comfortable arrangement.

 

• Practice Safe Sitting

Even with the “best” equipment, if you are not sitting correctly, your spine will suffer. When sitting, note where your head, hands, and legs are. To avoid back pain, make sure to:

• Sit upright with your back and shoulders against the back of the chair.
• Avoid holding your phone between your head and shoulder.
• Don’t slouch.
• Arms should rest lightly on the armrests to avoid circulatory problems or nerve pressure.
• Keep your feet flat on the floor (don’t cross your legs!).
• Relax your shoulders while keyboarding.

 

• Take a break

Not just a coffee or tea break, but a spine breaks. Stretch, take a short walk, get the blood flowing. When you are at your desk, avoid staying in one position for a long time. Try switching between sitting and standing.

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to leave your office feeling as refreshed as when you came in? Avoiding excessive strain on your spine can help you do just that.