How Physical Therapy Can Treat Aches and Pains Associated with Desk Jobs

If you work a desk job, you’re likely all too familiar with back, wrist and neck pain caused by extended periods of sitting. The good news is that physical therapy is an effective way to treat desk job-related pain and tension. Read on to discover how physical therapy can help treat your desk job aches and pains.

Common types of desk-related aches and pains

Many people spend their workday seated in front of a computer—in today’s world, it’s simply unavoidable. Sitting in one place for a long time isn’t good for you, and could result in the following common aches and pains:

• Back pain: Prolonged sitting often causes lower back pain. As you sit at your desk for too long, you can succumb to slumping or slouching, causing spine misalignment that strains the ligaments and muscles in your back. The worse the misalignment gets, the more pain you’ll experience.
• Wrist and elbow pain: Typing all day can take a toll on your wrists and elbows. As you’re typing, you’re often hunched forward for long periods of time, restricting blood flow to your wrists and elbows. Factors like the position of your keyboard, as well as poor posture, are often to blame for these common aches and pains.
• Neck pain: Improper keyboard positioning is one of the most common causes of neck pain. If the keyboard is set too far back on your desk, you’ll have to reach forward with your neck and shoulders, throwing your spine out of alignment. Over time, this causes muscle and soft tissue strain.

How physical therapy can help

Fortunately, there are non-surgical ways to treat these everyday desk job-related aches and pains. Physical therapy is an effective way to prevent or minimize recurrence of symptoms. Your physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan to target your pain points. This plan can include:

• Stretching and strengthening: Once your physical therapist determines what triggers your aches and pains, they’ll recommend a program for stretching and strengthening the associated muscles. If you’re suffering from back pain, abdominal strengthening is often recommended. Other stretching techniques can improve the strength and mobility of your muscles and reduce neck and wrist pain. Other health benefits to stretching include greater flexibility, better blood flow and increased energy levels.
• Ergonomics: A physical therapist can instruct you on proper ergonomics, taking your workplace, physical requirements and limitations into account. Proper ergonomics lowers risk factors that can lead to pain and injury. Your physical therapist can assess your working environment and make suggestions on how to make it more comfortable to alleviate your symptoms.
• Exercises: One of the most important parts of a physical therapy treatment plan is exercise. Your physical therapist will likely recommend specific exercises for neuromuscular re-education, helping to improve posture, balance and coordination. These exercises restore natural and efficient movement patterns, helping you manage pain associated with joints and neuromuscular deficiencies.

Tired of living with common desk job-related aches and pains? Physical therapy is the answer. Book your appointment today with Focus Forward Wellness & Physical Therapy. We’ll create a treatment plan for your pain points and your individual needs.

Categorised in: Back Pain, Neck Pain

This post was written by Writer