How to Create a Spine-Healthy Workspace
By Sara Butler
You may spend more time at work than you want to admit to yourself. While there, a good part of your day is probably spent sitting at your desk, working at a computer. That makes it as important as ever for you to create a spine-healthy workspace in your office. It will save you aches and pains and may even give your productivity a boost if you can follow these few simple suggestions.
Pick a Good Chair
Your chair is important. You need a posture-friendly chair with adequate cushioning, adjustable height, the ability to swivel and roll, and good arm support. Sitting for hours at your desk needs to be interrupted too. Try to set an alarm on your phone or computer that will help you remember to take a break at least once every hour to get up, stretch, and maybe walk around a little bit. A stroll down to the restroom or the water fountain can work wonders to preserve the health of your back and body.
Your Computer Screen
Your computer screen should be at eye level. It’s of the utmost importance that if you spend any time working on a computer throughout your day, you adjust the computer screen so you don’t have to look down. This is because looking down places stress and strain on your neck, which can eventually cause discomfort, pain, and joint dysfunctions in your neck, shoulders, and back. If you work on a laptop, you may need to place books under it or use a laptop stand to get it to the right height.
The Right Accessories
Working on a laptop is great, but you need to buy some accessories if you want it to be healthy for your body. Consider buying a separate keyboard for it, and a separate mouse. This way, the functionality and feel of using your laptop will improve dramatically.
Your Desk
If your employer is open to the idea, you may want to consider a standing desk. It’s better for your body because standing makes it more difficult to slouch and hunch your body forward than sitting. Plus, standing helps to give your spine a break since sitting puts so much pressure on your lower back.
If you need some more suggestions for ways to help keep your spine healthy when working, discuss it with the chiropractors at The Joint!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.