Maintain Good Posture at Your Desk

Hours in front of a computer or a desk could have a negative impact on your posture. This could eventually lead to health problems and pain that could easily be avoided. Problems such as back pain make up the leading cause of long-term sickness in the UK. Bad posture at work can lead to a whole host of other issues, with studies showing that it can lead to a decrease in energy and could even cut off your circulation. Combined with sitting for hours at a time and you could have a real health problem on your hands.

Here at Physio Wellbeing we know that musculoskeletal injuries can happen to anyone at any time, which can affect your muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. However, we also know that with a few simple tips you can also avoid injuries and maintain good posture, especially while sitting at your desk at work.

There are so many factors at your workstation that can affect your back and your posture, but if you think that you could sit better at your desk then take a look at the following tips to help you.

Slouching at your desk

We probably all slouch at some point without even realising it; slouching requires less effort from our muscles and our body. However, sitting slumped in your chair means you have no support to your lower back. It is important that you be proactive and learn to avoid further injury if you know that you slouch when you sit. Altering posture can soon become the norm if you are not careful!

Adjusting your workstation

The position of your keyboard, computer screen and mouse can all add up to your posture worsening over time. To maintain good posture, your keyboard should have a 4-6inch gap from the front of the desk to allow your wrists to rest between typing. You should also use your mouse as close to you as possible, potentially using a wrist pad on your mouse mat to avoid any awkward bending. Your computer screen should be directly in front of you, at eye level. Ideally, your monitor should be around an arm’s length away. If your screen isn’t in the correct position, you could be bending your neck which can become uncomfortable.

Sit correctly in your chair

Your chair should be a particular height; you should be able to use your keyboard with your wrist and forearms parallel to the floor. On top of this, your knees should be slightly lower than your hips in order to support your back better. A correctly adjusted chair will reduce the strain on your back. Your feet should also be flat on the floor; crossing your legs can also cause posture-related problems.

If you do notice problems with your posture or pain in your back and neck, get in touch today to see how our friendly team can help you!