The average office worker spends 15 hours per DAY sitting, and if you commute the time goes up even higher. How we sit has a huge impact on the shape and health of our spine in Palm Desert CA. Poor sitting posture and workstation ergonomics can increase the speed at which your spine degenerates which can increase your risk of experiencing pain, sciatica, disc herniations, and more. Here are some tips to reduce the impact sitting has on your spine’s health.

1. Reduce sitting time as much as possible in Palm Desert CA

Reducing the amount of time we spend in one posture will always be of benefit. Perform any tasks you can while standing. Performing things like phone calls while walking is a great option if that is possible. Also reducing sitting time while at home will lessen the impact.

2. Take breaks

While your employer may not want you to take long frequent breaks, often a trip to the bathroom, water fountain, or just standing up and stretching for a minute or two can make a big difference. Taking small breaks wherever possible can keep your body moving through different positions and improve blood flow and reduce stiffness.

3. Address your workstation ergonomics

Here are some tips to improve your workstation to reduce stress on your spine. While all these may or may not be possible in your situation, implementing more of these will improve your ergonomics.

• Standing desks can allow you to switch between sitting and standing throughout your shift; this is one of the best changes you can make.
• If you are seated, adjust your seat so that your knees are bent at a right angle (90 degrees) when your feet are flat on the ground.
• Lumbar support pillows can be helpful if you struggle to maintain the curve in your lower back.
• Adjust your keyboard height and angle so your elbows are bent at about 90 degrees and your wrists are straight
• Adjust your screen height so the center is a couple inches above eye level
• Wireless keyboards are a great way to have a comfortable wrist height while also raising a laptop or screen monitor
• Adjust your screen display so icons and text are large enough to where you don’t have to squint or bring your head closer to the screen

Sitting can put a lot of stress on your spine. Over time this can cause extra wear and tear and degeneration. By reducing the stress you put your spine through, you can reduce your risk of injury. While you can reduce the stress on your spine, these tips will not eliminate all the wear and tear. Over time you will lose some range of motion in your spine and regular chiropractic care will restore that joint motion and maintain the health of your spine.