By: Chelsea Lamb | June 18, 2021
Proper posture involves maintaining the alignment and balance of the natural spinal curves. It is key to maintaining spinal health throughout your life. Unfortunately, many people do not consider their posture during everyday activities, which has led to increases in associated problems.
From “tech neck” to an aching lower back, these problems can become quite painful and may even lead to some level of disability. That is why maintaining your posture, even when working from home, is so important. This guide, courtesy of Brewer Physical Therapy, will help you assess and improve your posture to protect your spine.
Assess Your Posture
Get started on your journey to better spine health by taking a posture assessment. You can talk to a doctor or physical therapist about having one done professionally. However, if you are concerned about going to a medical facility or want to limit costs, there are at-home options. Mobile apps that assess spine health are also increasingly available, for instance, and according to Posture Corrector Reviews, they can help.
Once you know how your posture rates, you can start developing a plan to improve it, incorporating exercises designed to target poor posture and strengthen supporting muscles. Depending on where you feel the most strain, you may want to look at those designed for the neck, back, or hands. You may find that gentle stretching, such as what is practiced in yoga or Tai Chi, improves flexibility and balance while easing tension and stiffness from long hours at your desk.
You can use a smartwatch to track your progress and goals. The newest models have many helpful features, and some devices even have fall detection and GPS. When purchasing a new model, make sure to add a couple of accessories like a stylish band and screen protector.
Create a Positive Working Environment
A positive office environment reduces stress and promotes productivity. Since we tend to carry our stress in tight muscles and tense shoulders, less stress can also help reduce pain. Fortunately, there are several worthwhile relaxation techniques you can try, such as breathing exercises and relaxation imagery.
Invest in Ergonomics to Help Your Posture
Have you looked at your workspace with an eye towards ergonomics? Ergonomic furniture and design looks for ways to minimize your risk of strain or injury. Keeping this goal in mind when designing your home office space will help prevent painful musculoskeletal disorders that can disrupt your ability to work.
Look for ways to set up an ergonomic home office. Pay attention to your seating arrangements, and remember that your chair should support correct posture and comfort. If you opt for a standing desk, use supportive mats to cushion leg, hip, and spinal joints. You can also use ergonomic aids, such as wrist rests, adjustable keyboard and monitor stands, and backrests to increase comfort.
Relieve Aches and Pains When They Start
Quickly addressing the little aches and pains that crop up will help thwart potential bad posture habits. Try one of the many available natural pain management techniques to nip them in the bud. Sometimes, just getting up and stretching for five minutes is enough to relieve tension. If you need more relief, manual manipulation through massage, physical therapy, or chiropractic care can help. They work to correct spinal alignment irregularities contributing to pain and are excellent tools for relieving headaches and back, neck, and hip pain. Besides minimizing pain, regular chiropractic care can also help improve your posture.
An increasing number of workers find themselves based out of home offices. Developing safe, ergonomic, and positive workspaces helps to correct poor posture. When pain and discomfort occur, stress reduction strategies and pain management techniques can reduce their impact and protect your spine health. And connect with Orewa Chiropractic for trustworthy and professional pain relief.
Contact Our Office Today To Learn More
If you’re suffering from ankle pain or a strain or sprain, don’t let things get worse by putting treatment off any longer. Brewer Physical Therapy is here to help! Give us a call today to learn how we can get you on the road to recovery. Our experienced Doctors of Physical Therapy providers will do a comprehensive assessment of your condition and create an individualized treatment program. We’ll have you recovering and living your normal life again in no time!
Our clinics are located in Shreveport, Bossier City and Minden, Louisiana. Additionally, we can also easily provide your physical therapy through our Telehealth PT (or Virtual Visit) platform if you are located anywhere in the state of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee or Utah!
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Source:
https://www.webmd.com
