Optimize Ergonomics and Your Well-being with Help from a Chiropractor for Posture
With the COVID-19 situation improving, the Philippines is showing a significant shift to adapt to “new normal” changes, with many individuals sticking to work-from-home (WFH) arrangements. In fact, according to Jobstreet’s 2022 report, out of about 11,000 respondents, 28% prefer fully remote work.
While WFH set-ups come with benefits like better work-life balance and less commute stress; they come with disadvantages too. With regard to the latter, it can be said that they may even require the help of a chiropractor for posture to be addressed. What are they? You ask. Well, it’s this thing called ergonomics.
Ergonomics and WFH work
Ergonomics, in simple terms, is the applied science that deals with arranging as well as designing workplace equipment and accessories that people utilize. This is in an effort to boost effectiveness, efficiency, safety, and everything in between. It is also about making sure that back pain, neck pain, tight hips, etc., are not developed when working. By helping employees achieve an environment that fits them, they go through their tasks with ease.
Unfortunately, perhaps due to lack of resources, lots of WFH employees improvise their home workstations. For some, it is working on a dining table, using their laptops on the couch, and so forth.
In line with this, do you know that a quick visit to a chiropractor for posture can help you achieve a workplace that is well-suited for WFH tasks? This is because on top of performing spinal adjustments, the said health professional can give essential tips and pointers on preventing conditions that may be developed due to poor ergonomics, prolonged sitting, repetitive tasks, and so forth.
Simply put, chiropractic care and consultation, when coupled with ergonomics are beneficial, especially if you are a WFH employee. Here is how they can help.
Ergonomics lays the groundwork
As mentioned above, ergonomics can go a long way when it comes to ensuring that your overall health and well-being is not compromised when making a living. Who can guide you with this aspect? A doctor of chiropractic medicine. He or she can help you achieve a productive home workplace that also contributes to reduced pain and discomfort.
Below are a couple of practical strategies that you can employ:
Appropriate chair height and proper sitting position
The proper ergonomic sitting position basically involves having both feet flat on the floor minus the need for a footrest. Your knees ought to be aligned with your hips. These simple measures can keep the pelvis balanced and, in the process, arch your lower back.
In addition, it would be best if your elbows are placed by the side of your body and bent at about 90 degrees to form an L-shape at the joint. Also, your wrist should not extend when typing or writing.
Make sure to fight the urge to slouch and keep a straight back when sitting. That is because when you are sitting up straight, your muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, etc. are properly aligned. Consequently, extra strain as well as stress is expelled, which means back pains and other forms of discomfort are also prevented.
Proper sitting position
It would be best to have a chair with built-in lumbar support (preferably adjustable) so that you are not slumped forward when working. Sitting up straight with ample reinforcement on the back (especially on the lower region) and refraining from doing forward head posture is essential when it comes to curtailing neck as well as lower back pain.
Use a lumbar support/roll
A chiropractor for posture may encourage you to use a lumbar support or roll when working since this can assist in preserving the inward curve of the lumbar spine (lordotic curvature) while seated. This is essential if you use flat-backed seats like dining chairs, which do not deliver ample support for the natural curve of the lower back. Not only that, dining chairs sort of promote the hunchback sitting position.
Usually made of memory foam, a lumbar support/roll is essential because when you sit down, your body is flexed. Therefore, if ample support is not provided along the way, the back muscles, together with the ligaments, may become extended. Accordingly, the alignment of other body structures may become compromised, leading to back pain, muscle fatigue, and the like.
Why you should visit a chiropractor for posture if are in a WFH set up
A chiropractor for posture is not only trained to diagnose and provide rehabilitation and non-pharmaceutical care to individuals who experience acute, sub-acute, or chronic back pain, neck pain, and other neuro-musculoskeletal conditions. Your chiro is also always willing to give tips and pointers regarding the specifics of your workstation and let you know if you need to make adjustments or otherwise.
Remember, even the littlest change can give a ton of health benefits and allow you to perform your work, pain-free.
Alternatively, aside from performing ergonomic changes to your workstation, it is best to have regular chiropractic sessions. They can help eliminate or reduce pain, improve body alignment, and boost body functions. Furthermore, the said sessions can complement conventional medical treatments that you may be receiving.
The said sessions may include the following:
Spinal adjustments
Strategically and gently realign joints in an effort to boost the range of motion and lessen pain.
Soft-tissue therapy
Relax tense muscles, relieve spasms, and release tightness in connective tissues surrounding fascia (the casing of connective tissues that support various body structures).
Stretches, exercises, mobility routines
Restore, and at the same time, maintain joint mobility and stability.
Guidance on integrative medicine
Provide guidance on diet as well as nutrition that can help reduce inflammation, knock off fatigue, and so on.
Summing up: Why do people love chiropractors
In the end, one does not have to wonder why people love chiropractors. Not only can they help you heal from an injury and eliminate or lessen recurring pain; they can also give essential advice on ergonomic WFH practices that can allow you to become productive and boost your quality of life.
This is possible by creating an environment that pretty much promotes good posture, while at the same time, reducing physical stress. Simply put, ergonomics can greatly improve comfort as well as productivity.
If you are looking for a chiropractor for posture who can address your unique needs, visit us at Posture Perfect. Regardless if you need help with ergonomics or pain management, our experts can address it and more.
