Office work conjures up images of sitting for more than eight hours a day. And it’s true- we probably even spend more than eight hours sitting down. We’re cooped up in front of a computer, hunched overlooking at spreadsheets, and with our shoulders shrugged from typing documents. These are all bad habits that bring body pain, and with the current trend of working from home, this problem has been exacerbated. We begin to develop chronic back pain, our knees and joints are often sore, and we lose flexibility. These are all hazards that come with a sedentary lifestyle, and having to sit down for work doesn’t help.
The average age of people who experience posture or sedentary-related body pain is becoming lower and lower. The situation has become so prevalent that many health professionals are claiming that ‘sitting is the new smoking’. And even though most people feel some form of body pain, it’s not normal. Luckily, all hope is not lost, as we don’t have to suffer from perennial aches. There are some changes to be made, however, and if it’s worse than you imagine, you might have to visit a professional.
Prevention
It’s better to prevent it from ever happening since once you feel it, it never really goes away. Taking preemptive measures to make sure that your health takes priority might sound like a lot of work, but it’s still less work than going to the hospital because the pain is too much. So how do you do it? Here’s how.
Exercise!
We always hear doctors stress the importance of exercise, but we rarely follow them. It’s understandable, exercise is tiring and can consume a lot of our precious time. However, if you really want to prevent body pains then exercise is the most practical solution.
Part of the reason why we feel body pain even though we’re just sitting down is that our muscles are wasting away. Our body is designed to move and be active, we burn the energy we consume by moving- and when we don’t burn them, they end up becoming fat that increases the risk for a litany of diseases. So the simplest and the best way to prevent this from happening is to exercise. And it doesn’t have to be heavy exercise too, as light exercise can help as well.
Try a Standing Desk
It may sound like a rather simplistic solution, but a standing desk is a great solution for your sitting down woes. When we sit, we’re immobilizing many of our functional muscles, and our joints compress muscles weaken as a result. To prevent this, simply using a standing desk can do wonders. It has a lot helps a lot with burning calories as well it can burn 100 to 200 calories in an hour. It helps reduce upper back and neck pain. A standing desk might sound peculiar, but with advantages such as these, they are worth considering.
But I Already Feel Pain!
Not everyone is in a position to prevent pain from starting- some of us already feel our backs while reading this! If you’re experiencing mild body pain due to sitting down, then perhaps these can help. But of course, knowing your body is crucial and you should check a doctor first.
Visit a Chiropractor
While a visit to the chiropractor might sound intimidating, there’s no real reason to be scared. Chiropractic care is considered a safe way to address common physical pains like lower back pain, neck pain, and other minor spinal issues. Don’t let the cracking bones and joints scare you- a trip to the chiropractor might just be what you need to get rid of that lower back pain.
Do Yoga
A major reason for body pain is the loss of flexibility. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t retrieve your flexibility. Doing yoga helps in regaining some of that flexibility, and it does wonders for your body and mood as well. Your daily functions and general every-day movement will feel lighter, and as a result, you won’t feel suddenly stiff when standing up from your chair.
Try Deep Tissue Massage
When are muscles are stiff and rigid due to inflexibility, our joints fuse, and our blood flow is blocked. This is another reason why we feel pain. A remedy to this is a massage, and not just any random massage but a deep tissue massage. It uses more pressure than other forms of massage, so while it might be painful for some, you will definitely feel lighter after. This is a good fix if you’re looking into exercising or doing yoga but can’t bear to start because of pains.
Sitting for long periods can have adverse effects on your health. Follow these tips to reduce the pain and live a normal, healthy, and comfortable life.
