How to Avoid Work-Related Back Pain

Back pain is becoming increasingly common today because most of us have a sedentary lifestyle where we work hunched over a computer screen. Combine this with lack of exercise, and what we have is a steep spike in back pain complaints. But there are some simple tricks you can follow to avoid such problems:

Invest in a good quality ergonomic chair: These chairs are designed to create the right ‘cushioning’ and posture for your body. They have a ‘lumbar support’ that is meant to follow the natural curve of your back and support you.

No hunching: Make sure that the keyboard and mouse are at the right level. This will ensure that you are not hunched over your desk as you work on your computer. This position not only puts pressure on the backbone, it also strains your neck.

Right posture: Most back pain problems are related to bad posture. Since you spend most of your day sitting in a chair, your posture is very important. Sit straight, your head up and try to keep your knees bended at a 90-degree angle. Make sure that the mouse and keypad are within reach and you do not have to bend over or extend your hand too far to work on these.

Take a break whenever you can: Get up, stretch your legs and walk around. The simple exercise reduces the pressure on your spinal disc, giving a break to the tension it is under when you’ve been sitting for hours.