How Desk Workers Can Prevent Back Pain

(SPM Wire) Work-related back pain doesn't just happen to physical laborers, as many desk-bound office workers can attest.

"Health problems caused by long hours sitting in front of a computer are jeopardizing the health of the workforce, and affecting corporate America's ability to compete in the global economy," said Dr. Peter F. Ullrich, Medical Director of Spine-health (www.spine-health.com) and an orthopedic spine surgeon.

Here are some tips from the experts at Spine-health on preventing back and neck pain:

* Just move. Your body can only tolerate one position for 20 minutes at a time, 30 minutes maximum.

* Avoid hunching. Sitting at the front of your office chair, hunching forward to see the computer screen, is wrong. Try to "retrain" your posture.

* Choose an adjustable office chair. Make sure it has the flexibility to adjust to the needs of your body and your work and can support your low back and create good posture. Consider such features as adjustable seat height, back rests and arm rests, as well as lumbar adjustment and padding.

* Use exercise as the ultimate weapon against back problems. As you age, having strong back and abdominal muscles - your core body muscles - is critical for maintaining good posture. These muscles don't get used in typical everyday activities, so you need to keep them in shape.

More details on these tips are available online at www.spine-health.com.

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