When we were younger we all remember being told sit up straight, don’t slouch, and to put your shoulders back. Now that we are older how many of us have brushed off that 
nagging from our child hood and are experiencing some sort of neck or back discomfort?
I for one did and now I am paying the price. Years of poor posture and bad body mechanics at desk jobs and everyday life have landed me in pain often. However there are steps that can be taken to help with these discomforts and help to correct them as well.
First off body mechanics while you are sitting at your computer is one of the most important of all the steps. If you work in an office chances are you have the same chair your boss or co workers has and while it may feel amazing to them, it may not necessarily be the best for you.. It is important to know that everyone’s body is different and the chair you sit in at your computer day in and day out definitely makes a difference in how you will feel throughout the day.
You may need to go out and try a few chairs at your local office supply store. Many have a section of assembled chairs that they have available at their store, ready for consumers to come in and hop from chair to chair to see which one feels the best to them. Yes I know it may sound silly to some, but the chair you sit in throughout the day really will make a difference in how you feel after being in front of the computer daily.
Second is posture while you are sitting in front of your computer or desk. Your feet should be planted on the floor, yes both and not one under you as the other one dangles. Your arms should rest comfortably on our key board shelve as well as your desktop. While you are sitting at your desk, your back should rest against the back of the chair and you should feel no pain or strain in your back, neck or shoulders. There should never be slouching or stretching to put your feet comfortably on the floor.
Throughout the day it also helps to take frequent breaks from the computer. Not only do these breaks rest your eyes but also gives your back a chance to stretch out and the blood to flow to your arms legs as well as the rest of your body. Helping to keep you awake and alert as well as giving your body a rest from the stress. During these breaks you should try to go outside and take a little walk, fresh air helps to clear your mind which helps with the tension you may be holding in your back, neck and arms. Stretching also helps to bring the blood flow throughout the body and your organs and muscles will thank you for it.
Lastly there are steps you can take to help you improve your posture not only while sitting in front of the computer but also throughout your daily life. One of the best and my personal favorite is Pilates; don’t be scared by the word. It is an amazing way for both men and women to strengthen their core and back muscles which in turn help to give you a better posture not only while you’re in front of your computer, but it will also carry out to your daily activities (driving, walking, grocery shopping, bending etc.). Pilates is also a great way for you to clear your mind often helping with stress. During these Pilates sessions you must put your brain to work to focus on each muscle and movement as you do them, helping you to forget about those daily stressors.
The stretching in Pilates will help to lengthen your body so that you will have better body mechanics while in front of your computer as well as at your desk.
I can tell you from experience as I work here at www.ComputerGeeksOnline.net and I am in front of my computer daily. Making sure that my chair fits me as well as making sure my desk was set up properly for me helped a lot with my neck pain. Pilates has given me the tools to be more aware of my posture and has helped to lengthen my body and helping me to stress less. In turn these have helped me not only in my work life in front of the computer but also my home life and my body mechanics in how I bend and lift things. I hope my article will be of some help to those of you who are frustrated with the back and neck pain that can be associated with sitting in front of a computer daily.
Article by Heather Deprey Do not copy this.
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