This year has been an unusual one for most people. The worldwide pandemic has surely changed the way many people work, travel, and go to school. With a continued focus on social distancing, many businesses are allowing their employees to work from the safety of their own homes. While this is a good idea for helping to prevent the spread of the virus, working in a different environment that may not be set up for ergonomics is taking a toll on many people’s backs.
In today’s blog from Flex Chiropractic, we want to help those of you who are working from home by giving you some tips to help prevent and manage back pain. Keep reading, and if you’re in need of a chiropractic adjustment, contact Flex Chiropractic in Columbia.
Tip #1: Avoid sitting for long periods
If you were lucky enough to have a standing desk at work, then you’re probably missing it now that you’re working from home. When you sit for extended periods at your desk, it constricts the blood flow in your legs and puts pressure on your spine. Experts even say that sitting for too long too often can be bad for your heart and brain. Long story short, feel better, and stay healthy by setting a reminder to get up every half hour or as often as possible.
Tip #2: Move around at least once an hour
It’s not enough to just stand up every so often, your body needs to move to really get the blood pumping. Although you might not be able to take a 10-minute break every hour, try to at least do some stretches at your desk or even do a few jumping jacks. If you have a conference call, consider using a wireless headset so you can walk during your meeting. And, when you can get away from your desk don’t just go to another room and sit down — walk up and down the stairs a few times, take a walk down to the mailbox, or take your dog for a stroll around the block.
Tip#3: Invest in a good chair
When you do sit down, having a good chair can make all the difference in how your back feels. Look for a chair with the right combination of cushion and support and then make sure it’s the right height for your desk. If you’re short, you may have to use a lumbar support cushion and use a footrest to help keep your feet securely planted. If you’re hunched over, have to reach for your keyboard, or are sitting on the edge of your seat, you’ll need to make adjustments or find a better fitting chair.
Tip #4: Make sure your computer monitor is at the right height
Many people experience back and neck pain because their computer monitor isn’t at the right height. Oftentimes, people will be sitting at a level that requires them to look down at their monitor. This puts great stress on your neck muscles and can cause your back to get out of alignment.
The next time you’re at your desk, look at your monitor — is your head completely straight and level? If not, you’ll want to invest in a stand that can put your screen at the right height.
Tip #5: Avoid working from the couch or in bed
Have you always wished you didn’t have to get up and get ready for work each morning? Now that you have that option, you might be tempted just to reach for your laptop and work in your PJs without even getting out of bed. As comfy as it sounds, working from your bed or even a couch can wreak havoc on your back. You won’t have support where you need it, plus sitting hunched over restricts your breathing, reduces circulation, and is just plain bad for you.
Visit Flex Chiropractic in Columbia
If you’re struggling to adjust to working from home and you’re experiencing more aches and pains than usual, it might be time to come into Flex for a chiropractic adjustment. With an aligned spine you’ll likely experience less pain and tension in your back and neck and you’ll be ready to take on whatever the remainder of 2020 throws your way. Call us today at 803-262-0034 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.
Pain is something that many people live with on a daily basis. It’s a sign that your body is out of balance or that something is wrong. Fortunately, many times, the problem that is causing the pain can be easily treated. If you suffer from frequent headaches or back, neck, hip, muscle, or joint pain, instead of just popping pain pills or anti-inflammatory medication to “deal with it”, you should consider seeking treatment from a chiropractic specialist.
In today’s post from Flex Chiropractic, we’re going to discuss seven signs that you need a chiropractic adjustment. While some of these may seem obvious to some, going to a chiropractor for things like leg or arm pain may be a concept that’s new to some people. Keep reading and if you think you could benefit from a chiropractic adjustment, contact Flex Chiropractic in Lexington to schedule an appointment.
Frequent Headaches
Everyone experiences a headache every now and then, but if your headaches have become frequent or especially painful, it’s likely that you have a bigger problem than just normal stress causing it. Although headaches are a common symptom for hundreds of ailments and conditions ranging from sickness and injury to poor posture and even dehydration, headaches can also be the result of a spine that’s out of alignment. If you have chronic headaches or even migraines, it’s wise to have a trained chiropractor examine your spine to determine if misalignment could be causing your issues.
Pain That Radiates Down Your Leg
Have you ever had a sharp, shooting pain that radiated down the entire length of your leg? Not only is this kind of pain uncomfortable, but it can also drastically limit your ability to perform everyday tasks. Oftentimes, radiating leg pain originates from pressure on the sciatic nerve caused by a herniated or slipped disc. The result is a burning or stabbing pain that can come and go or remain constant.
Sciatica is quite common and can be caused by a variety of things including injury, lack of physical activity, and normal aging. Fortunately, people who suffer from shooting leg pain caused by sciatica are often able to get relief with a spinal adjustment.
You Have Limited Range of Motion
Limited range of motion is another indicator that your body may be out of balance and a visit to your chiropractor can help to identify what is causing your mobility to be disrupted. Although mobility that is mildly limited may seem like more of an inconvenience than anything, expanding and regaining your full range of motion can improve mobility and strength and prevent future spinal problems down the road.
You Were Recently Involved in a Car Accident
Car accidents can be life-threatening, but even if you only experienced a minor fender-bender, your body could still be feeling the effects. It doesn’t take much for your spine to be jostled out of place or to experience mild whiplash. While you may be inclined to sit back and just hope time will take the aches and pains away, it would be wise to see if you could benefit from a chiropractic adjustment.
You Have Numbness or Tingling in Your Arms or Legs
There are many serious health conditions that can cause numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, but oftentimes it’s caused by minor misalignment of the vertebrae. When vertebrae are out of place, they can interfere with blood flow or cause nerves to be pinched, leading to the numbness you feel in your extremities. The easiest way to correct the problem is with a spinal adjustment that can correct any vertebrae that are out of place.
You Spend Several Hours a Day Sitting at a Desk
Millions of people spend the majority of their working days sitting at a desk, or in some sedentary position. This not only promotes poor posture, but it puts stress on your spine and restricts blood flow to your legs. The best thing you can do is to schedule frequent breaks so you can get up and move around. You should also make sure that your chair and desk are at the proper height for your body so as to reduce any unnecessary stress from having to reach or slouch in unnatural positions. Visiting a chiropractor can also help reduce the pain that has developed from poor ergonomic habits and ensure that your spine is properly aligned
You Have Chronic Aches and Pains
Pain is such a general term that can have one or many causes. You wouldn’t go to the emergency room for a sore finger, so why try risky procedures and dangerous prescription medications for chronic aches and pains? The answer to your pain may be simpler than you think.
If you suffer from chronic back or neck pain, or pain in your muscles or joints, relief may be right around the corner. Your first step should be to consult with a chiropractor to determine if a spinal adjustment could help. While chiropractic care can’t fix everything, it has helped millions of people get relief and live more active lives without surgery or dangerous prescription medications.
Visit Flex Chiropractic In Lexington
If you have experienced (or currently suffer from) any of the things discussed in today’s blog, we encourage you to schedule a visit to Flex Chiropractic in Lexington. Don’t just live with the pain — we may be able to help you get relief through a chiropractic adjustment or a combination of chiropractic and other alternative treatments.
At Flex Chiropractic we believe in offering a variety of services to help you feel your best. Our licensed and experienced doctor of chiropractic is dedicated to finding the cause of your pain and will give you the personalized chiropractic care you deserve.
In addition to chiropractic adjustments, we also offer a wide range of alternative therapies aimed at gently helping the body heal itself naturally. Generally used in combination with other treatments, we also offer decompression, ultrasound, and cold laser therapy, as well as electrical stimulation. Visit our website to learn more or give us a call to schedule your appointment.
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