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Physiotherapy Treatments for Desk Workers

Spending all Day at The Desk?

Working in an office is usually characterised by long hours of sitting, often in front of a computer, but also in meetings, in an office, and even when you are on break. In fact, if you work in an office, chances are you spend your entire office hours bound to one desk, with only a few minutes in between for rest breaks.

When you spend too much time in a sedentary position, it can lead to a long list of health complications including chronic diseases and premature death. And while regular deskbound office work will pose little harm when done for short periods of time, you should be aware of the long-term consequences.

Of course, regular exercises will mitigate some of the effects of sitting in a spot for too long, but the truth is that very few people have the time or inclination to work out, and even those that do so, are not doing enough exercises.

If you have started experiencing pains and discomfort as a result of the long time you spend in a sedentary position at work, now is a good time to take a closer look at your work habits and address the situation before it escalates. You should also begin to seriously consider physiotherapy.

Common issues faced by deskbound workers

If your profession requires that you spend a long time in a sedentary position, you should know that this can have a significant impact on your health. Deskbound occupations can lead to a number of health conditions including:

  • Obesity
  • Risk of injuries
  • Chronic illness
  • Lower back pain
  • Early mortality

Our bodies are not built to sit in a spot for long periods of time, hands kept in one position, or completing repetitive tasks for prolonged periods. In fact, a recent study discovered a 34% increase in mortality rate of adults who spend 10 hours or more on their seats. Studies also show that the amount of time you spend in a sedentary position can increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases and type two diabetes.

Other common risks associated with deskbound occupations are musculoskeletal disorders which occur as a result of completing repetitive tasks like operating a computer, using office equipment, and even writing on paper.

As already established, you can mitigate these risks by regular exercises. Another great idea is to increase your number of rest breaks. Employers can also furnish their offices with special furniture like ergonomic chairs, adjustable desk and chairs, and standing desks.

However, you can also go a step further by considering physical therapy to combat the effects of your deskbound job. With proper physiotherapy and osteopathy, you should be able to avoid, and treat any health condition that occur as a result of the type of work you do.

Common ways to avoid deskbound complications

If you do an occupation that require you to spend long periods of time on a chair, there are a number of activities you can engage in to reduce the effects of this sedentary position.

Below are a few tips that if followed properly, will help you avoid common deskbound complications while improving your work productivity.

  • Frequent rest breaks: Ensure that you take regular rest breaks after working steading for a few hours. Get into the habit of spending at least a few minutes away from your desk every few hours to give your muscle some time to recover. Also, learn to take your meals away from your desk.
  • Vary your tasks: As often as possible, try to alter the way you do your work as this can in turn alter your work position. For example, you can regularly alternate working on a computer, answering phone calls and replacing teleconferencing with live visits where possible.
  • Vary your posture: Another good idea is to try and vary your work posture as often as you can. This could mean leaving your workstation and walking to the printer, or briefly visiting the next office to discuss work related matters rather than doing so over the phone.
  • Micropauses: Micropauses are when you take a few seconds off work in every fifteen minutes to catch a breather and rest. At this point, you can drop your arms and shake them gently to restore circulation to your nerves and muscles.
  • Stretches: Finally, before, during, and after work, you should take a few minutes to do a few simple stretches. This will help prevent or reduce any muscle tension that should cause discomfort during and after work.

It is vital that your workstation is set up in such a way that it fits your unique needs, otherwise you will still encounter problems despite your best efforts. Even the smallest adjustment to your workstation can make a huge difference to your posture and comfort.

It is also important that you consider physiotherapy designed for people like you who spend a lot of time working at a desk. The right physical therapy techniques will do your overall health a lot of good, so that you are always healthy and able to do the job you love.

Getting physiotherapy help for your deskbound situation

If you are experiencing pains and discomfort as a result of the type of work you do, the right physiotherapy techniques can help you get better.

For information on how physiotherapy can help you overcome problems caused by your deskbound job, call Hove Physiotherapy and Osteopathy on 0000000000 today.

Key takeaway facts

  • A recent study discovered a 34% increase in the mortality rate of adults who spend 10 hours or more at a desk bound job.
  • Sitting down for long causes the muscles and nerves in the leg and truck to become inactive, leading to a build-up of fats and sugar in the blood. This can lead to obesity and structural problems.
  • It is advisable to break up sitting work hours with other activities in order to cause a variation in work and posture that can be advantageous to your health.
  • UK health guidelines recommend that deskbound workers spend between two to four hours of their working time standing on their feet or moving from one place to another in order to free their muscles and improve circulation.
  • Special physiotherapy techniques designed for deskbound workers are very effective in mitigating and treating problems caused by prolonged sedentary position.

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