Can desk jobs cause lower back pain?

When working in a sedentary office job, lower back pain can develop from physical inactivity, incorrect posture or a poorly designed workspace. How you move can also aggravate existing back pain. Luckily, by adjusting your workspace and developing healthy habits, you can prevent and reduce back pain at work.

What helps back pain from sitting at desk?

#1. Adjust Your Workspace

1. Adjust the Height of Your Chair. Sit as close to your desk as you comfortably can.
2. Adjust Your Armrests. An ideal chair has armrests and they should be adjusted to slightly lift your shoulders.
3. Adjust Your Backrest.
4. Determine Your Resting Eye Level.
5. Position Objects within Arm’s Reach.

Is a desk job bad for your back?

Sitting chained to your desk for hours at a time can lead to lower back pain, the most common work-related back problem. So what exactly is going on back there? Slumping back in your desk chair or slouching forward means your spine is out of alignment. That puts a strain on the ligaments and muscles in your back.

How long should you stand at a desk job?

Sitting behind your desk all day is bad for your health and experts have long been advising people to stand at their workstations for about 15 minutes an hour. But a University of Waterloo professor says his research shows that people should be standing for at least 30 minutes per hour to get health benefits.

Can a desk job cause sciatica?

When you sit, the stresses on the spinal discs in your lower back can increase up to 40\%. For this reason, extended periods of sitting may cause your discs to irritate your sciatic nerve roots, aggravating your sciatica. To help relieve the stress around the nerve roots in your lower back, try using a standing desk.

What position helps back pain?

Try lying on your side. Place a pillow between your knees to keep your spine in a neutral position and relieve strain on your back. If you need to sleep on your back, slide a pillow under your knees. Be sure to sleep on a comfortably firm mattress.

What job is best for a bad back?

Ideal Jobs for People Suffering from Back Pain

1. Content writer. Many companies need good writers who can develop content for their blogs, websites, social media accounts and newsletters.
2. Office job.
3. Customer service representative.
4. Tech worker.
5. Accountant.
6. Sales representative.
7. Self-employment.
8. Home school teacher.

What job causes the most back pain?

Drivers. This is surprising to some but driving positions are the top jobs that cause back pain. Long-haul truck drivers, delivery drivers, chauffeurs, taxi drivers, and contractors for ridesharing services are at risk of developing back problems from sitting in the same position for long periods of time.

Will I lose weight if I stand at my desk?

According to research appearing in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, standing only burns another 2 or 3 calories than sitting over the course of 15 minutes, “not a very significant increase,” points out study lead author Seth Creasy. …

Why is it bad to sit at a desk all day?

Sitting or lying down for too long increases your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Too much sitting can also be bad for your mental health. Being active is not as hard as you think. There are lots of simple ways to include some physical activity in your day.

Can you fix sciatic nerve pain?

Treatment. Most people with sciatica get better in a few weeks without surgery. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help relieve pain, although they should be only a short-term solution.

How to eliminate lower back pain at your desk?

Doing simple exercises at your desk each day can help eliminate lower back pain by stretching the muscles and correcting bad posture. Being mindful of moving throughout the day will go towards better back health so here are 4 exercises that are easy to incorporate into a busy day.

Can ergonomics at work help relieve lower back pain?

Judith Gould is a trained physiotherapist who specialises in how ergonomics at work can help relieve lower back pain. Doing simple exercises at your desk each day can help eliminate lower back pain by stretching the muscles and correcting bad posture.

Should I tell my employer if I have back pain?

If your back pain is making it painful or difficult to sit at your desk all day, walk long distances to meetings and events, or lift boxes, for example, you should tell your manager that you have a disability and need an accommodation. You are not legally required to make your request in writing, but it’s a good idea.

What is the best sitting position for lower back pain?

Sitting Stretches Sitting is the most common position for most office workers. As mentioned above, standing and taking breaks will help reduce your low back strain and risk for injury. However, there are a few exercises that you can do while sitting to improve pain and flexibility.