If you are like most people, there is a pretty good chance you spend most of your day seated at your desk. Thanks to this sedentary behavior, you risk spending most of your time in poor posture, potentially resulting in physical discomfort and pain.
Neck and back pains are some of the injuries you can sustain due to poor posture. These injuries happen when the head and the spine are not optimally aligned, resulting in the degenerative wear and tear of the tissues around the neck and along the back. Improper alignment between the head and the spine can also result in the constriction of the nerves and the blood vessels.
Signs of neck and back pain due to poor posture
Here are common signs you need to look out for if you suspect that your neck or back pain is attributable to poor posture:
- Pain that intensifies as the day progresses or that worsens during certain times of the day like after work
- Pain that begins in the neck and travels down the spine to your lower back
- Strong pain that eases when you change your sitting or standing position
So what do you do about neck and back pain that is caused by bad posture?
The best remedy for posture-related neck and back pains is to ensure that you set up an ergonomic workstation. Specifically, the chair and the computer screen position should be set up in a way that enables you to utilize your chair’s arm and backrests.
Taking multiple breaks to stretch out during the day can also help prevent pressure accumulation to the neck and the back.
Neck and back injuries that result from poor posture at work can impact your health both in the short and long term. The cost of treating your injury can run into thousands of dollars. Find out how you can pursue a workers’ compensation claim if you develop health complications while at work.
