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Do you have a job staring at a computer all day? Well most of us do now, but don't let it cramp your style. Everyone will develop some form of discomfort, strain or pain working at a desk job. But if you don't take care of yourself while you work through the day you can develop more serious ailments such as Repetitive Strain Injury, which is a catch all phrase for many conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Trigger Finger, Tenosynovitis / DeQuervain's Syndrome, Tendonitis, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Chronic Sprain. We are now discovering office related work can lead to even more serious problems such as Deep Vein Thrombosis , which can be lethal.
According to an article in Health.UK.MSN, "A study at the Medical Research Institute in Wellington, New Zealand, examined the cases of 62 people with DVT and discovered that 34 per cent had spent long periods sitting at their desks at work.", then goes on to explain, "In most cases of DVT, the clots are small and do not cause any symptoms. The body is able to gradually break down the clot and there are no long-term effects, but in less common cases it can lodge in the lung with potentially fatal effects."...WOW!
What can you do to avoid the cramps and strains that could result in long term injury, or apparently even death?
Umm..Change jobs?... Well most of us can't do that, so here are some other ideas that may help you avoid long term pain and even relieve short term discomfort:
Work Station Ergonomics - Make sure you have proper posture while working, keeping your back straight, shoulders relaxed and legs at a 90 degree angle or more. You may want to try a fitness ball as your chair or an ergonomic office station .
Get Up and Move Frequently - You can just go for a quick walk, grab a drink or a snack, go say hi to someone, but try to move. Studies have shown that getting up and moving actually helps with productivity. We need the blood flow to the brain, not to mention the mental break and reducing health risks. Check out this office dancing around.
Breath and Stretch - Make sure you are taking some deep breathes once and awhile. This will help bring awareness to your body, so that you can readjust yourself back to a healthy position. Move your head back and forth to stretch your neck, put your arm out and bend your hand down and then up, stretch your fingers frequently and stand up once an awhile to get a back and leg stretch in. Some more stretches .
All this moving and stretching will save you in the end - and it will actually help you enjoy your work day and get more done. |