Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Office Workers
Combat Office Aches and Pains with Chiropractic Care
Are you reading this article from an office desk? If you spend your nine-to-five in an office environment, chances are you’re no stranger to the ailments associated with long hours of computer work. More and more office workers are seeking chiropractic care for aches in the neck, shoulders, back and even head. In fact, studies show over 60% of office workers suffer from musculoskeletal pain.
Sitting for prolonged periods of time, poor posture and poor ergonomics all contribute to misalignment in the spine and musculoskeletal problems. Chiropractic care identifies direct and indirect symptoms of pain, treats ailments at the source and provides techniques to prevent future pain.
The Problems with Poor Posture
Most office spaces do not implement proper workplace ergonomics. Spending 40+ hours a week seated and hunched over a computer screen can lead to serious spine misalignment. While ergonomic techniques like sit/stand desks are rising in popularity, poor posture is still the main cause of musculoskeletal pain.
Some pain caused by poor posture, like lower back pain, tense shoulders and a stiff neck, may seem obvious. Surprisingly, poor posture can also cause symptoms that appear unrelated. These ailments include:
Headache
Fatigue
Sinus Pressure
Tingling in arms, fingers or legs
Dizziness
That’s right—your morning headache or mid-afternoon fatigue could be caused by poor posture. Setting up regular chiropractic appointments to realign your spine and prevent future damage could drastically improve the quality of your work day.
Understanding Chiropractic Care
What should you expect when visiting the chiropractor? Primarily, chiropractic care will ease pain points by realigning the spine. When your body is in proper alignment, your musculoskeletal system is relieved of any compressed or pinched vertebrae and nerves that cause a catalog of symptoms.
Commonly, chiropractic care is associated with manual adjustments along the spine and neck. Adjustments can be hands-on manipulation, massage and sometimes electrical stimulation. Often, patients will notice immediate relief once their spine is returned to its proper place. Many patients view a trip to the chiropractor as a pleasant and enjoyable experience due to these instant results.
However, chiropractic care does not stop there. Realigning the spine may set you up for success, but the muscles surrounding the spine must be strengthened to prevent future problems. After learning about your lifestyle and day-to-day habits, a chiropractor will often prescribe a series of stretches and exercises to strengthen the back, neck and abdominal muscles.
Healthy Habits for a Neutral Spine
In cases of poor posture due to an office environment, the chiropractor provides tips for proper sitting positions and recommendations to stretch and move throughout the day. If you are stuck at a desk for the majority of your work week, try to incorporate these ergonomics into your work space:
Ensure proper lumbar support in your desk chair. Use a pillow or towel behind your lower back if your chair does not provide enough support.
Keep your computer monitor at or slightly below eye level. This avoids straining your neck up or down for extended periods of time.
Support arms on desk to relieve pressure on shoulders.
Keep your feet comfortably planted on the floor.
Achieving a neutral spine throughout the work day will relieve pain, fatigue and frustration.
Let Chiropractic Care Improve Your Work Week
Chiropractic care brings different benefits than a visit to your general practitioner. Medical doctors seek to relieve symptoms like headaches and stiff neck. Chiropractors reach the root of the problem with natural remedies to set your body up for success. Your treatment plan will include non-invasive treatments specifically tailored to your needs and lifestyle.
Regular chiropractic alignments, as well as a commitment to improved posture, will maximize the quality of your work week. Enjoy days filled with more energy, positivity and comfort.
At Higher Health, we pair our chiropractic care with techniques like massage therapy, cold laser therapy, spinal decompression and natural stress relief. If you suffer from chronic aches, pains and fatigue from extensive office work, book an appointment with us today to start your journey to relief.