Is the Computer Your Body's Enemy?
As you know, technology has been a great help. Technology can help us organize our lives, it provides a second brain. The alarms and reminders we set can release some stress of remembering the when and where of daily tasks.
Let's go ahead and look a common scenario. You have decided that you need to do some work at the computer. You need to start the computer, but you don't want get out of the chair and squat down. You bend forward and twist down enough to reach the switch on the computer tower. This movement puts the discs in the low back at their weakest and most vulnerable point. Think about the stress on the low back if you do that movement often.
Okay, so you are ready to open your document and start typing. Majority of people look at the keyboard when they are typing. This position bends your neck and head forward. This direction is the opposite of what your neck cure is designed to be in. Then, something that I call ?the black hole? develops.
After a short time people actually look like they are getting sucked into the computer screen. The shoulders begin to slump and the head moves forward towards the monitor or screen. For every inch that your head moves forward, there is 25 pounds of additional stress placed on the neck and spine.
The stress now increases because you may stay in this position for hours. In addition to this most people who use computers will do this on a regular basis. We also need to add in the motion of the chair. Now that almost all office chairs have wheels, people don't actually get out of the chair when bending and twisting.
If the printer is position off to the side, the user will just rotate the chair to the side and reach. Again, this is placing stress on the lower back area. When going from sitting to standing, you might rotate the chair and step out instead of backing the chair out and standing straight up. Does this sound familiar to you? However, there are some things that can be done to reduce the stress on your body while working at the computer.
First look at your workstation. The monitor should be at eye level and directly in front of the keyboard. Rotate the position of your printer periodically if you can. A great alternative to rolling your chair is to back your chair out from the desk and stand up straight. Just performing this task will eliminate a lot of stress on your body.
You should be observant of your elbow and hand position. Did you know that it is best to use a chair with no armrest? No armrest actually allow for your shoulders to relax, instead of being pushed up. A good comfortable hand rest is a great idea. Your forearms should be parallel with the floor. Another body part that should be parallel with the floor are your thighs when adjusting the height of the chair.
You should stand and stretch every 30 minutes or so. Stretching and walking around will allow your body to get some extension time. All computer work is bending forward. This is called flexion. You can extend your body and release tension by standing.
As a Chiropractor in Charlotte, NC I have found that these tips can help you to reduce much of the stress that occurs at work and home. The computer is a great tool, but it can cause damage to your body if not used properly. Following the tips in this article will hopefully help you to enjoy using this particular form of technology much more. - 17273
Let's go ahead and look a common scenario. You have decided that you need to do some work at the computer. You need to start the computer, but you don't want get out of the chair and squat down. You bend forward and twist down enough to reach the switch on the computer tower. This movement puts the discs in the low back at their weakest and most vulnerable point. Think about the stress on the low back if you do that movement often.
Okay, so you are ready to open your document and start typing. Majority of people look at the keyboard when they are typing. This position bends your neck and head forward. This direction is the opposite of what your neck cure is designed to be in. Then, something that I call ?the black hole? develops.
After a short time people actually look like they are getting sucked into the computer screen. The shoulders begin to slump and the head moves forward towards the monitor or screen. For every inch that your head moves forward, there is 25 pounds of additional stress placed on the neck and spine.
The stress now increases because you may stay in this position for hours. In addition to this most people who use computers will do this on a regular basis. We also need to add in the motion of the chair. Now that almost all office chairs have wheels, people don't actually get out of the chair when bending and twisting.
If the printer is position off to the side, the user will just rotate the chair to the side and reach. Again, this is placing stress on the lower back area. When going from sitting to standing, you might rotate the chair and step out instead of backing the chair out and standing straight up. Does this sound familiar to you? However, there are some things that can be done to reduce the stress on your body while working at the computer.
First look at your workstation. The monitor should be at eye level and directly in front of the keyboard. Rotate the position of your printer periodically if you can. A great alternative to rolling your chair is to back your chair out from the desk and stand up straight. Just performing this task will eliminate a lot of stress on your body.
You should be observant of your elbow and hand position. Did you know that it is best to use a chair with no armrest? No armrest actually allow for your shoulders to relax, instead of being pushed up. A good comfortable hand rest is a great idea. Your forearms should be parallel with the floor. Another body part that should be parallel with the floor are your thighs when adjusting the height of the chair.
You should stand and stretch every 30 minutes or so. Stretching and walking around will allow your body to get some extension time. All computer work is bending forward. This is called flexion. You can extend your body and release tension by standing.
As a Chiropractor in Charlotte, NC I have found that these tips can help you to reduce much of the stress that occurs at work and home. The computer is a great tool, but it can cause damage to your body if not used properly. Following the tips in this article will hopefully help you to enjoy using this particular form of technology much more. - 17273
About the Author:
Author: Dr. Robert Simmons is a charlotte chiropractor using applied kinesiology technique. For more information attend one of our free charlotte chiropractic nutrition lectures and exciting classes.
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12:40 PM
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