For some people, sitting in their offices the whole day is quite a challenge. Working for such long hours while sitting in front of a computer puts so much strain on the body, especially the back.
It is quite difficult to maintain a good body posture while sitting. Some people even hunch themselves forward when the text on the screen of their computers are hard to read.
When you are so absorbed with your work like when there is a deadline to beat, you won’t bother with your sitting position.
How the office chair helps
Your choice of chair is a big factor in your sitting position. Chairs that have strong lumbar support can help alleviate the aching muscles of your body. Some chairs may in fact help counteract the body’s tendency to slouch.
There are chair models that can provide you this. Choosing the appropriate chair as well as a decent set of office furniture will keep your posture and back free from pain.
Your muscles work together
Do you know that the muscles of your abdomen are in front of the spine? Also, the muscles of your back help hold erect the upper body similar to two elastic bands.
Leaning forward while hunched on an office chair disturbs the balance of the body and puts so much strain on the muscles of the back.
You can compare the strain brought on by sitting in your office with balancing a non-moving motorcycle. When you are on a bike, the muscles of the back and abdominals work together to keep the body in an erect position with little effort.
But the instance a motorcycle leans a bit over, there is an effort to keep the bike from ever falling. The more it leans, the more energy is needed to keep it from falling.
Adjustable Chairs
Essentially, leaning 30 degrees forward in order to get near the computer screen puts much strain on the back. It contributes to the wear and tear of the surfaces of the joints, the spine’s ligaments, and the discs between the vertebrae.
Over time, such a posture could lead to rigid, tight joints and muscles which are more prone to pain and injury.
One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to sitting is that it seems to require little effort. However, this is false. Be aware that the muscles of the back are always working to keep the body upright.
Those who sit too long and work for lengthy periods have the tendency to hunch their backs thus causing strain on the structures of the back.
Keep your back against slouching
Here’s how.
You have to avoid your body’s tendency to slouch forward while on an office chair. Place a tennis ball between the middle of your back and the office chair on each of the spine’s side.
You then hold the ball in place while working or sitting. Doing this keeps the mind aware of the body and not be totally absorbed on the computer screen.
Also, by leaning your back on the tennis ball, an acupressure-like effect is produced. It stimulates the flow of blood in the area and releases the contracted muscles physically as well as the connective tissues.
Plus, the pressure brought on by the ball produces a push that imitates the analgesic effect similar to what acupuncture does.