If your daily work requires a sitting in front of a computer for extended periods of time, this series may interest you.
I recently received the following email:
Hi Dr. Bart,
I’m at my wit’s end. I work at a job where I sit at a my desk all day in front of a computer. It seems like every time I get home from the office, I have sore shoulders and a headache. I know my posture isn’t that great, but now it seems like I even have a small bump at the base of my neck. I’m kind of freaked out and don’t know what to do. Is this something I should be concerned about?
Sincerely,
Mae
Mae, unfortunately, this is a concern that is expressed to me quite often. Many of my patients come home from a day of work in front of the computer and feel just terrible. They know they’ve been slumping at their desks all day, but they don’t really know what the solution is. The truth is that bad posture has an array of consequences – things like muscle pain and headaches, but also more serious issues. Slouching at your desk can lead to Postural kyphosis, also commonly known as Dowager’s Hump. Beyond the aforementioned side effects, severe kyphosis can cause breathing and digestion difficulties, cardiovascular irregularities, and even neurological problems.
Postural kyphosis can affect people of all ages. At River Ridge Chiropractic, we can help you reverse or correct Postural kyphosis (often indicated by a forward head position and rounded shoulders) with a comprehensive approach that includes regular adjustments, acupuncture, proper foot care (including orthotics), and correcting muscle imbalances with specific exercises. Even nutrition can play a role: For example, Vitamin D deficiency can lead to kyphosis through a softening of the bones which can then cause a curvature of the spine.
In the next blog, we’ll speak more in-depth about how River Ridge Chiropractic’s services can help you protect your back and neck on the job. On our Facebook page and Twitter feed we’ll give you simple posture “fixes” that you you can implement all on your own.
This week’s advice: If you’re prone to slouching at your desk at work, your first line of defense is to stay active throughout the day. Make a point of getting up, moving around, and stretching every hour to make sure you keep your blood flowing.
Questions or comments? Put them here, email me at drbart@bellsouth.net
