Spending hours sitting in front of a laptop takes a toll on your body, there’s just no way to get around this fact. The dreaded “Office Syndrome”, a general term that describes anything from joint aches to long-term biomechanical issues related to sitting, becomes more and more relevant as time passes but are you doing enough to prevent it?
You might have seen many ways to minimize body aches and pains through ergonomic furniture and correctly-positioned computer screens but is that enough?
We’ll answer these questions and give you the information you need to prevent Office Syndrome from ruining your work life.
Why is it important to prevent Office Syndrome?
Office Syndrome is an umbrella term for any physical issues that stem from constantly sitting in front of a computer. The fact of the matter is everyone has different issues when it comes to prolonged periods of sitting because our bodies are different and our circumstances are different.
If you don’t pay attention to the signs then your body will manifest aches, pains, and other symptoms of Office Syndrome. These small symptoms can become chronic conditions if they are left unchecked and they can have a massive impact on your health and lifestyle.
A person that experiences lower back tightness regularly because of constant sitting, is going to start feeling lower back pain. If nothing is done to address the issue this can lead to back and spine problems later on.
Instead of letting this happen, you can follow some simple tips that’ll keep you productive yet pain-free!
Take breaks and move your body
Ultimately, you are suffering from repetitive stress whether it is standing, sitting, running or jumping, our bodies are not meant to do one thing for a long period of time.
If you’ve been sitting in front of your computer for more than 30 minutes, get up and walk around a little bit. This is the perfect time to do some stretching so stretch your neck, your back, your sides and your legs.
Slowly build an ergonomic workspace
Proper ergonomics really help with long periods of sitting but this can be an expensive investment, especially if you are on a budget. The ideal seated position is when your eyes are level with your screen, your back is properly supported, your knees are bent at 90 degrees with your feet firmly on the ground and your forearms are supported for typing without any stress.
Take your time and choose ergonomic solutions that fit your workspace and your budget but be mindful of your body because it will require extra attention if not supported correctly.
Office Syndrome prevention with Form Physio and Rehab
If you feel like you have some Office Syndrome symptoms already but don’t know what to do about them, contact us and we’ll help you figure it out. Our certified therapists will be able to accurately diagnose your condition and give you solutions to help you work without any stress or fear. We’ll show you the exercises and stretches you need to keep your muscles and joints healthy and you can forget about Office Syndrome bothering you now or in the future!
Author
Kodchakorn (Ked) Tawonsupajalean
Head Therapist at Form Recovery and Wellness
Kodchakorn received a Degree in Physiotherapy from Mae Fah Luang Univeristy in Chiang Rai. Kodchakorn is the Head Therapist at Form Recovery and Wellness and works closely with all the therapists from all departments to ensure that every single client who comes to us has the highest chance of success.
