So, you sit all day in an office? Leaning over your desk, tapping away at the computer keyboard or maybe on the phone? Oh and don’t forget the commute to and from the office – another hour or so sitting down. How much harm can you be doing to yourself?
Well, more than you think.
Hang on, remember last year when you had those few days when your back was really aching by the end of the day, and quite sore when you got up in the morning? And then a few months ago it happened again, but this time it was really quite painful putting your socks on in the morning and you got sharp, shooting pains down the back of your leg. You ended up having to have a couple of days off work and taking strong pain killers to get through for a week or so. It seems to be getting worse each time it happens……
Sound familiar?
If we do not ‘sit well’, we run the risk of ‘loading non-optimally’ through our lumbar spine and intervertebral discs. Basically, that means a poor sitting posture will place disproportionately higher loads through the front portion of the spinal vertebral bodies, which will then transmit this force into the intervertebral disc – causing tearing of the fibres, weakening of the disc wall and, over time, forcing the disc material to bulge out – otherwise known as a ‘slipped’ or prolapsed disc.
Each of these stages of degeneration of the intervertebral disc causes an increasing level of symptoms and may result in damage to the nerves as they leave the spinal cord. This gives rise to what is commonly referred to as ‘sciatica’, where you feel pain down the leg and into the foot.
Appropriate and timely physiotherapy treatment can help you get out of this downward spiral of events – initially by treating whatever the current level of symptoms are that you are experiencing, and then – and more importantly – by advising, educating and retraining your body to sit better, move better and feel better.
Very simple, but consistent and permanent, changes to your posture at work will make a significant difference. And better still, you don’t have to wait until the next time your back is painful – we can help you at any point, and work to prevent the next episode happening.
Don’t let back pain contribute to the daily grind! Call us on 01274 565669 to discuss your problem and arrange an assessment appointment.
