Why Desk Workers Should Keep Myotherapy in Mind
If you’re one of the 50% of Australian workers sitting during at least some of your work week, you might be very familiar with muscular aches. If you’re one of the unlucky ones, these aches are instead deep-rooted pain.
Even though they might be sitting down in a relaxing, air-conditioned office, office workers like you are just as likely to suffer injury and chronic pain as physically-demanding occupations. Issues that may arise through this inactivity include neck, shoulder and back pain, repetitive strain injury and carpal tunnel syndrome. Who said being an office worker was easy?
How the damage is done
Unlike the sudden injuries that can occur through sport and physical labour, desk-related injuries are often slow to develop. Sitting is hardly an extreme sport, but the need to hold certain parts of your body steady all day, every day, while working can cause considerable stress on your body.
Sitting awkwardly for so long also leads to issues with back, neck and shoulder pain, as does the consistent poor posture often associated with workers suffering from fatigue. There’s a good chance that decreased blood flow to areas such as your tendons and ligaments can also lead to stiffness and pain. It’s not just you, though — even if you try to actively exercise good posture, a poorly set up workstation can cause significant stress on muscles and joints.
Simple ways to prevent desk-related injuries
Thankfully, there are a few ways to manage and prevent desk-related injuries. For the most part, these involve staying active throughout the day as you perform tasks where you’d otherwise remain sedentary – with a little bit of discipline, these steps can quite easily become second nature!
Stretching
We all know the feeling of getting caught up in work – whether through a backlog of work, an emergency deadline, or a simple need to impress. In any case, when you’re focused on your work, shifting your position regularly is not on the top of your to-do list. Whenever you do get caught up with this kind of work, you need to make a special effort to stretch whenever you feel stiff, sore or fatigued – set reminders to do so every half hour if you find it helps. Just a couple of minutes of standing or shoulder rotating can be invaluable.
Use a sitting/standing desk
Many of the desks now used in offices have the ability to alternate between sitting and standing positions. If you use one such desk at work, or can access one, absolutely make the most of it – alternating between sitting and standing, as well as the movements required to adjust the desk itself, will ensure you keep moving and prevent poor form.
Move during lunchtime
It may be tempting to sit at your desk and eat lunch to enhance productivity, but lunchtime represents the perfect time to get moving. Take a stroll in a nearby park or around the block, or if you’re particularly strapped for time, a quick walk around the office will do, Don’t just make it a break for your mind – give you muscles and joints a break too!
Treating injuries with myotherapy
Even with regular stretching and movement during long working hours, muscles and joints will eventually get worn out and require specialist care – think of it as upkeep for your body – and this is where the benefits of myotherapy can work in your body’s favour.
Receiving regular myotherapy treatment every 2 to 6 weeks can have a hugely beneficial result on your musculoskeletal health. Positive results occur not only through the releasing of muscle tension through targeted massage, but through regular, thorough assessments.
Assessments will include observations related to your range of motion, posture and reports of pain. Any detected issues in posture can then be quickly remedied through practical advice and a tailored program, just for you. This way, you can practice healthy self-management instead of relying solely on massage!
And there you have it – if you’ve experienced pain related to work, you’re not alone. But rest assured, with the right amount of self-care and professional care, you’ll soon be back to your healthy self! Get in touch with our trusted and experienced myotherapy team in Brunswick area to find out more or book an appointment today.
