Most of us work with computers these days. You know how it is… before you realise it, you’ve been sitting there for hours! You can deal with this lack of movement by trying to vary your job tasks so you are forced to get up and move around. Keeping your notebook, files, the printer etc. out of your reach has it’s benefits by getting you up and moving around. Ideally, you should move around and stand up every half an hour.
If you’re working on a laptop, try moving it to a higher level, like a counter top or cabinet, where you can stand and work for a while. It’s essential to ensure you are not leaning into the screen which can wreak havoc on your neck or upper back . As a general rule of thumb, your line of reading should be approximately two inches below the top of your screen so adjust the height of your chair or elevate your monitor in some way with books. Remember to pay attention to your other body cues too, such as:
- Numbness, burning or tingling
- Soreness, aching or tenderness
- Pain, throbbing or swelling
- Tightness or stiffness
- Weakness, fatigue, or cold.
There is growing evidence that massage therapy has the potential to help you to increase your awareness of body cues, thus reducing your risk of injury and pain.