The ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the way we do our jobs. You or someone you know may be one of the millions of Americans that have had to transition to working from home, either partially or fully. Many of those working from home may continue to do so partially even after this is all behind us.
If you’re not used to working from home prior to this, you may have developed or are in danger of developing back pain. The good news is that you may be able to do some simple things at home to help avoid or mitigate the pain. Be sure to check out our latest article on exercises to improve your posture as this is one of the most important considerations when working from home or even at the office. Maintaining good posture and not slouching too much is vital to avoid back pain.
How Do I Avoid Back Pain While Working Home?
This may seem like common sense, but make sure you have a comfortable chair. It has to match your needs though. You may need a stiffer chair than other people, or a pillow for your lower back — whatever helps you keep comfortable while also keeping your back and neck straight.
Part of keeping your back and neck straight is making sure that your computer and keyboard are at an optimal height. You may need to do makeshift adjustments at home like putting a book or a box under your monitor or laptop to elevate it where it needs to be. Stretching is important, too. It wouldn’t hurt to stretch a little in the morning, but make sure you also take short breaks throughout the day to stretch and keep yourself loose. You can learn more by looking into workspace ergonomics.
How Do I Manage Back Pain From Home?
If you suffer from chronic back pain you won’t have the same ability to avoid back pain while working from home. You’ll need to focus on pain management. The section above goes over important things you can do to help, but if you’re managing chronic pain, you’ll need to make other considerations as well. You’ll want to schedule breaks to make sure you take them and additionally you’ll want to make sure that if your back pain is too great on a given day that you consider taking the day off. It’s tempting to work longer hours and not take sick time while working from home, but it’s important to manage your pain.
What Back Pain Relief Exercises Can I Do From Home?
You can do many exercises to help relieve back pain including hamstring stretches, partial crunches, and knee to chest while you’re laying on your back stretches. Depending on the severity of your back pain, you may want to consider physical therapy. It’s not just for recovering from severe injuries or trauma; it can also be used to decrease chronic pain and increase your mobility.
Total Chiropractic Care Can Help Alleviate Your Back Pain
With the coronavirus increasing the amount many people have to work from home, you could be experiencing additional back pain. Total Chiropractic Care is here to help. Chiropractic care is more than just spinal realignments. We provide many services including physical therapy at our facility located in Medford, NY. Don’t wait, contact us today.