If you work an office or desk job, you understand the discomfort that can come with sitting in the same position all day. You may experience aches, poor posture, and stiff muscles and joints. If you are in the same position most of the day, it is important to incorporate movement and healthy practices to remain feeling your best. This blog will explore how physical therapy can keep your body feeling good after a long day at the office.
Common Issues
Prolonged periods of sitting can present your body with issues such as:
- Aches and pains
- Neck strain
- Shoulder and back pain
- Bad posture
- Weak abdominal muscles
- Loss of mobility
Consistent sitting can bring on these issues, but consistent physical therapy can improve them and help you perform better at your job.
Major Benefits
Some may think that they only need Idaho Falls physical therapy when they have a severe condition or injury to recover from. But the truth is that physical therapy can benefit anyone and everyone!
Some of the major benefits include:
- Holistic Healing: Physical therapy can help improve minor aches and pains without the use of over-the-counter medication. This is because it addresses the root cause of the pain instead of masking it.
- Improved Posture: At a desk job, you are prone to hunching over, especially when working on a computer or writing. Physical therapy gives you the tools to improve posture and eliminate the pain that comes from it.
- Better Range of Motion and Mobility: Since this type of job is sedentary, it is important to implement daily movement or exercise. Physical therapy will help you increase strength and flexibility that you don’t normally get at work. We will later discuss simple things you can do at work to maintain mobility even at work.
- Reduced Back and Neck Pain: Sitting in the same position for too long can lead to a tweaked neck and back. Physical therapy helps relieve this pain through simple exercises.
- Injury Prevention: Physical therapy can help reduce the risk of reinjury from repetitive movements and positions.
How a Physical Therapist Can Help These Pain Points
A physical therapist can work with you to understand your pain points and how severe they are and make a personalized plan accordingly.
They will conduct an assessment to determine the types of therapy you need. This could consist of manual therapy, such as STIM and heat/ice compression, or exercises to strengthen and mobilize. They will then develop a custom plan of exercises with a specific duration depending on your needs.
Things You Can Do at Work
To maintain a pain-free work life, here are some ergonomics you can practice at work:
- Keep your back and shoulders straight, supported by the back of your chair
- Maintain an L shape with your arms so you aren’t leaning forward
- Keep the feet flat on the floor and knees in line with the hips
Try to take breaks in between periods of prolonged sitting so you have a chance to roll your neck and shoulders and walk around. Combining these simple movements with physical therapy can improve your quality of life tremendously.
