Your Back at Work

According to the AHCPR guidelines and a Johns Hopkins University study on the lower back, 50 percent of work-related injuries are low-back injuries, and eight out of every ten Americans will suffer from low back pain during his or her lifetime. With the proper knowledge and precautions by performing simple exercises as well as making slight changes at the workplace, many of those injuries can be prevented, thus saving people unnecessary pain and agony. Whether you have a desk job or you are on your feet all day, the basic rule is the same: Stomach in, shoulders back and down, and head straight up!

Sitting in the Office

If you are in the office, sitting for hours, be sure to take occasional breaks, stretch out and reduce the pressure on your back. Prolonged sitting is not healthy for your spine. If your chair is too high and your feet don’t touch the floor, use a small stool at your feet and keep your knees bent. You want 90-degree angles at your pelvis and back as well as at your knees.

Driving

If you are driving for extended periods of time, be sure your seat is at the right distance form the gas pedal. Your knees should be in line with your hip and foot and almost fully extended when pressing down on the gas pedal.

Lifting

When lifting, bend the knees, straighten the back and keep the object close to you. If the object is too far away, you are shifting your center of gravity and adding more of a load on your spine.

Remember: spinal health is vital! Structure determines function and poor posture equals poor function.

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Author Dr. Karen R. Jacobson is a chiropractor in Scottsdale. Her mission is to help people in achieving optimal health and wellness through natural chiropractic care and live a healthy productive life, free of drugs and surgery.

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3 Responses to “Your Back at Work”

1. Terry With Medical Uniforms says:

   September 14, 2009 at 12:23 am

   Yep, and it’s costly if you happen to injure your spine. My aunt’s officemate once needed to have an operation because I think something in her lower back snapped. They paid a lot for that operation. My aunt told me that the injury happened while her officemate’s lifting something heavy. To date, I always remember how she told me to never ever lift heavy things in the wrong posture. I don’t want to be paralyzed after all.
2. Annuity says:

   September 17, 2009 at 3:39 am

   I’m a software programmer and I sit in front of computers for hours together. I think “Sitting in office” section of this article will help me a lot.

   Thanks,
   Leo
3. Jeff @ Colon Cleansing Food says:

   September 21, 2009 at 7:37 am

   I work in an office and quite often I completely forget to get up and take a break, stretch out the legs and what not. But it is really important to do so. I’m too young for back pain.