How To Keep Your Spine Healthy if You Work From Home
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Working from home can be a boon to your mental health, however your neck and spine endure stress throughout the day. If you’re not careful, this can take its toll on your spinal health and lead to pain, headaches, or pinched nerves. Below, The Law Office Of Ferguson and Ferguson presents tips to keep your spine healthy if you work from home.
Ergonomics at Work
First, make sure your home office furniture and setup are ergonomically sound. Consider desk height, computer display position, chair height, and armrests. Ergonomics is the science of designing and arranging things people use to be safe and comfortable. In other words, an ergonomic chair can help prevent back pain and encourage good posture. An ergonomic mouse helps prevent wrist strain. Working at a standing desk may be better than sitting at a traditional desk. Being aware of how your body feels while working helps keep your spine healthywhile you work from home.
Exercises That Protect Your Spine
No matter how great your workspace or your chair and computer setup, improper positioning can wreak havoc on your spine, so take breaks throughout the day. Exercise is also important. While it may be best to avoid heavy lifting, light exercises, such as yoga and tai chi, can help improve blood flow and flexibility.
Change Your Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position can affect the health of your spine. Sleeping on your stomach isn’t recommended, nor is sleeping on your side with your legs bent toward the chest. These poor sleeping positions put too much pressure on one part of your spine—which can result in back pain during the day. Lying on your back with a small pillow under your head and neck is best for promoting proper spinal alignment while sleeping.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do for your spine health. Being overweight puts extra stress on your spine, which leads to pain, injuries, and degenerative conditions. In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, it’s also important to help your spine stay flexible and strong. Chiropractors recommend exercises focused on strengthening core muscles.
Get Regular Adjustments from a Chiropractor
Chiropractors help their patients remain healthy by providing regular adjustments and correcting any subluxations that may have occurred. Subluxations are slight misalignments in your spine, caused by age, wear and tear, trauma, or poor posture. These small misalignments can lead to problems down the road, so make an appointment with your doctor or chiropractor before they get out of hand.
Reducing Stress and Clutter
Stress can lead to back pain and tension headaches. The stress of a cluttered house can contribute to chronic back pain. People with chronic back pain tend to have more clutter in their homes than those without clutter. Staying organized and decluttering reduces stress by providing you with a sense of control over your environment. Address this issue immediately to foster a healthier and happier home environment.
Keeping Healthy
Although advantages come with working from home, your spine health needn’t suffer. Proper ergonomic setup, exercise, and regular chiropractic adjustments are essential to keep you healthy while working from home.
Ferguson and Ferguson is a personal injury, bankruptcy, criminal and domestic relations law firm located in Huntsville and Decatur, Alabama. Our firm was established in 1993, and has been serving North Alabama residents for over 30 years.
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