#computer posture

As we sit at the computer our shoulders are usually forward and we are hunched over for extended periods of time.  Our bodies are not designed to sit all day. Sitting for long periods of time (10 hours or more per day) has a negative effect on health: circulation decreases, muscles tire, and tasks become more uncomfortable to perform.

It can cause pain and tightness in the back and neck, tingling in the extremities and poor posture. 

Also, sitting after eating a meal causes high blood sugar spikes. Instead move around after eating to cut the sugar spikes in half … move around, clean the kitchen, walk the dog.

Incorrect computer posture habits combined with long-term sitting may cause medical problems such as:  cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) or repetitive stress injury (RSI).

Reduce these effects of long term sitting; take breaks; switch things up:

Below are examples of some exercises / stretches that can be performed without leaving your desk area.  Set your timer to take breaks and go for it!  Start small and slowly work your way up to more movement.

Neck Flexors, Sitting or Standing

Stand (or sit) head comfortable in a centered position.

Draw in chin pulling head straight back.  Keep jaw and eyes level.

Hold this position for 5 to 7 seconds.  Release. 

Repeat.

Side/Torso – Standing Bend

Stand with feet together and palms overhead touching.

Bend body to one side as far as possible.

Hold 5 to 7 seconds.

Resume original position.

Bend body to the other side as far as possible.

Hold 5 to 7 seconds.

Resume original position.

Chest Scapula Adduction with Pectorals

Stand in a doorframe, palms against frame and arms at 90 degrees.

Lean forward, squeezing shoulder blades together.

Hold 7 to 10 seconds.

Release, then repeat.

Hip Flexors/Quadriceps Stretch

Stand, may use chair as a support.

Slowly bend left leg feeling the stretch.

Hold for 7 to 10 seconds.

Release.

Repeat with other leg.

Dorsiflexion and Plantar Flexion, sitting

Sitting with feet on the floor.

Point toes up while keeping heels on the floor.

Hold position 5 to 7 seconds.

Now, press toes to the floor while raising heels.

Hold position 5 to 7 seconds.

Repeat several times.

Upper/Mid Back Stretch, sitting

Sitting in chair with knees apart, bend forward toward the floor.

Feel the stretch in the lower back.

Hold 7 to 10seconds.

Sit upright.

One theory as to why prolonged sitting is harmful to one’s health is that while sitting, the large muscles become relaxed. As these muscles relax they do not take up very much glucose from the blood. As a result, the risk for Type II diabetes becomes increased along with heart disease and some cancers.

Immediately after sitting down, muscle electrical activity and metabolism slow down, as a result less calories are burned. Only 1 calorie per minute is burned while sitting. That is 1/3 of what the body burns when walking.

After a prolonged period of this lifestyle, LDL cholesterol (bad) increases and weight gain occurs.

Sitting can also cause hip flexor and hamstring muscles (back of thigh) to tighten. This may lead to joints and knees becoming stiff and back pain.

As we sit at the computer our shoulders are usually forward and we are hunched over for extended periods of time.  Our bodies are not designed to sit all day.

After just two weeks of sitting, muscles begin to atrophy and oxygen consumption decreases, making it more difficult to climb stairs and walk the longer distances.  Incorrect computer posture habits combined with long-term sitting may cause medical problems such as:  cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) or repetitive stress injury (RSI).

It has also been shown that in women bone mass can drop by 1% after a year of sitting for 6 hours a day.  Reduce these effects of long term sitting; take breaks; switch things up:

Stand every 45 minutes to 1 hour (set alarm or timer). Standing up for 1 – 2 minutes every hour will reduce the negative effects of sitting all day.

March in place for twenty seconds.

Reach down and try to touch your toes for twenty seconds.

Maintain intervals of moderate activity during the day.

Exercises / stretches that can be performed at your desk:

Sitting in your chair, lift one leg off the seat.

extend it out straight, hold for 2 seconds;

lower your foot – do not touch floor – hold for several seconds.

Switch

Do each leg 10-15 times.

MORE –

Sitting Weight Shift

 Sit with feet flat on floor, and on hands for support.

 Lean forward through hips bringing nose over knees.

 Return.

 Now, lean backward through hips.

 Hold each position 7-10 seconds.

 Repeat several times through the day.

Shoulder Blade Squeeze (Adduction)

2. Draw shoulders back, bringing elbows back and inward

3. squeeze shoulder blades).

4. Hold for 6 seconds.

5. Repeat 4-6 times.

Low Back Sitting with Rotation                              

1. Sit on edge of seat, one hand on opposite knee, other hand on chair.

2. Keep feet parallel.

3. Pull with hand on knee and, if needed, push with hand on chair to rotate trunk to that side.

4. Hold 7-10 seconds.

5. Repeat on other side.

6. Do 2-4 rotations on each side.

Hip Extensors / Rotators                                     

1. Sit back straight, right ankle crossed over left thigh.

2. Grasp bent knee with both hands.

3. Gently rotate left shoulder toward bent knee and begin to pull right knee toward left shoulder.

4. Resist the knee pull by using hip muscles, 7-10 seconds.

5. Maintaining position, relax, then pull knee closer to shoulder.

6. Hold 7-10 seconds.

7. Repeat on other side.

Low Back Stretch                                              

1. Sit in chair with knees spread apart.

2. Bend forward toward the floor.

3. A comfortable should be felt in lower back.

How to Sit at Your Computer

In our last article we discussed the painful side effects of bad computer posture. The proliferation of laptops has only worsened the situation, as people adapt to smaller screens and keyboards. Certainly, Body Fix Therapies of Sacramento can provide you with the therapeutic massage that will reduce or remove your pain, but it’s better to avoid creating pain in the first place! So if you are…

7 Tips for Better Computer Posture

Tip #1.  Don’t slump, and don’t sit up straight.

  Sitting up straight doesn’t work. You know cause you’ve tried it.

Forget all that “stomach in, chest out” “tuck your chin in” junk.

It might work—for a second. It adds unnecessary tension, and it’s unsustainable.

  •   Let your head and body move up, while your two sit bones go down into the chair.

•   This natural opposition will lengthen your…

Student 2: What's wrong?

Student 1: Right, that's it. I'm never being a researcher. How do they do it?

Lecturer: Do what?

Student 1: I spent all morning doing data entry for someone and I must have been sitting awkwardly or something 'cause now my back and shoulder are completely out of whack.

Student 2: Ah, I had that happen to me while I was writing my dissertation.