Posture is intricately linked to good health, so it’s important to regularly check your posture, especially if you spend a lot of time seated at a desk each day. Being sedentary for long periods is bad for your body. It can cause postural stress, and undermine spine health. But is there a better posture for people who work long hours seated?
Effects of poor sitting posture
Poor sitting posture can adversely affects the musculoskeletal system. It is often the source of chronic neck and back pain, impacts joint health, and puts undue pressure on the arms, legs, and spinal discs. Too much pressure on the spinal discs, can lead to spinal cord compression.
Spinal cord compression
The spinal cord is made up of a mix of nerves that transmit messages between the brain and the muscles and tissues of the body. Spinal cord compression will affect this transmission resulting in symptoms such as numbness, pain, stiffness in the neck and lower back, in addition to cramping in the hands, arms, or legs.
Adopting proper posture while seated for long hours is the best way to avoid spinal cord compression, and other side-effects of poor sitting posture.
Tips for Proper sitting Posture
- Choose a chair with an ergonomic design that provides proper lumbar (lower back) support, while allowing the feet to rest comfortably.
- Get up from your desk at least every 30 minutes, and stretch for about 2 minutes.
- If you are working at a computer, ensure that the top of the monitor is in line with your eye height. You want to avoid neck and shoulder fatigue.
If you are suffering from neck and back pain due to poor posture, Posture Pump products can provide well-needed relief. Visit www.posturepump.com to find out more.