Working Is Hazardous To Your Health!

Working Is Hazardous To Your Health!

Injuries from this sort of daily posture is increasing at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, we all find ourselves in this position at some time or another. Even our children are faced with prolonged sitting at a computer or slouched over a desk trying to get work done, but there are many ways to prevent further injury and reverse some of the damage we have caused. 

So what do we do about it? 

The first thing I recommend to my clients is to get their work station set up correctly. Even the best intentions of good posture are going to fail if the desk and chair are not the correct height and the computer and keyboard are not where they should be.

• First, the feet should be facing forward and firmly planted on the floor. 
• Next, the chair should be at a height where the hips are at a 90 degree angle. 
• Then, the hands should rest on the keyboard with the elbows at a 90 degree angle. 
• Finally, the monitor should be directly in front of the eyes with out having to look up or down or jut your head forward to read the screen. 

If your desk is not set up this way, in my opinion, you are bound to have some sort of injury regardless of how hard to try to sit up straight.

Now you will want to address your posture. The National Posture Institute recommends the 4 Points of Posture. 

1. First, you want to stand or sit tall. 
2. Then, lift or hold chest high. 
3. Next, squeeze shoulder blades back as if you were holding a pencil between them. 
4. Finally, contract the abdominal muscles. 

You can start out by practicing these 4 points 3 times per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for 5 minutes each time. In the beginning it will feel very tiring, and your body will quickly revert to poor posture, but soon, it will become second nature. 

Depending on the severity of the injuries you have developed, it could take a couple of weeks or even longer to begin to reverse the effects of the damage you have caused. You may have to seek help from a physical therapists if the pain you are having is not subsiding. For more information or to get your work station set up properly, call me at (772) 519-2088 or e-mail me at trainer@darbybrowning.com.

The National Posture Institute is the leader in posture and body alignment educational programs and solutions.