Skip to content 
During the past 18 months, many of us have relocated our offices to our homes and we have completely changed how we work. Whether this is temporary or a permanent change we have to consider how we are working at home. In the office your company would have no doubt supplied all personnel with the correct equipment to ensure your health and well-being is at the forefront of their working environment. This equipment would include a comfortable, ergonomic chair to ensure you have the correct posture.
We no doubt assumed that any working at home procedure would be temporary so we probably didn’t purchase the correct equipment to accommodate working long hours in front of a computer or laptop and after 18+ months we are still working in poor conditions at home that will have a lasting affect on our body and muscles in the long term.
How our body is affected from bad posture
As you move, your spines’ disc expand and contract enabling us to absorb pressure. While we are are sitting, we are adding more pressure to the spine than we stand. If we sit for long periods of time without standing we are at risk of losing flexibility in our spine that can lead to more serious problems like a herniated disc.
The discs in your spine expand and contract as you move, acting to absorb the pressure that occurs between your spinal vertebrae. This ‘shock’ absorption is important for keeping a healthy spine, allowing for movement.
When working at a desk we have to sit for long periods of time but if we are doing this with bad posture this can increase or speed up the risk of injury or backpain
GJP Healths Tips to Better Posture
Purchase a suitable office chair
First and foremost, office chairs today are designed with good posture in mind, so by choosing a good office chair will instantly help with your sitting position.
Use a lumber support
Purchasing a lumber support or using a rolled towel against your lower back can force you to sit correctly
Position computer equipment correctly
Preferably use a desk at the correct height to site your computer screen or laptop and ensure that it is directly in front of you. Make sure that your keyboard and mouse are positioned so that your wrists are supported on the desk.
!!Most importantly!! Take regular breaks throughout the day
We often get absorbed into our work and 1, 2 or 3 hours can zoom by without you even knowing, so try to remember to get up and have a walk around now and again. Even a 1 minute stand a few times and hour can really help to relieve and pressure on your spine.
Book an Advanced Physiotherapy Appointment in Birmingham
If you have been feeling the effects of back pain, muscular pain or other mobility issues caused by working from in poor working conditions then get in touch with GJP Health Birmingham and we can discuss any treatment options that could help.
