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Computer Neck
By Dr. Nona Djaviddr@nonadjavid.com
With today’s technologically demanding jobs (or hobbies) we find ourselves spending more and more time behind our computers, hunched closer than ever to our monitors in order to compensate for ever-decreasing vision. An hour or two behind our keyboards quickly turns into the whole day, with little or no breaks in between to alleviate the strain on our neck, eyes, and back. Before we know it, we find ourselves sitting in the same position, day after day, for months and even years, until one day our body reacts.
In most cases, any symptoms we feel are already warning signs of things gone wrong – and if left untreated, will cause even more problems soon thereafter. Symptoms such as occasional headaches and tightness in the neck will give way to more serious and chronic problems like allergies, frequent sinusitis, tingling and numbness in the extremities, increasing number of migraine headaches, and even a weak immune system.
Bad posture doesn’t happen overnight, and if you look in the mirror every day, week, or month, chances are you will hardly notice the difference in your body, and will therefore refuse any preventative care until you are in serious pain or discomfort. Remember that even the smallest strain on your neck, head, vertebrae, arms, and back will take time to fully trigger any symptoms, which means that by the time you start feeling discomfort it may already be too late to prevent it. Not to mention that bad posture is one of the most unattractive attributes of a young person’s body!
The only way to regain your posture and fend off any pain or discomfort in the future is to first get a full checkup and digital x-rays by a chiropractic physician who is trained in diagnosing the root of the problems, and fixing it through a proven and effective rehabilitation program. Unfortunately most chiropractors today are only focused on immediate symptom relief, and do not take any steps to see where the issue stemmed from, or offer a permanent solution.
A good chiropractic physician will not only offer a wide range of treatment options, but tell you to go back after your rehabilitation for monthly adjustments to keep you on top of your postural health.
Next, you will have to create an ergonomic working environment. There are hundreds of diagrams and articles online that will illustrate a correct sitting, working, and sleeping position. From moving your monitor to the correct height and distance, to adjusting your chair, keyboard, and arm rests, there are dozens of helpful tips and changes that can make working a more posture-friendly experience. Remember, that you only have one body, and if symptoms start to creep their ugly heads, it will be much harder to push them out of your life than to prevent them from ever coming out.
And finally, no rehabilitation or ergonomic program is ever going to be effective unless you make a serious lifestyle change. This means making the effort to get out of your chair every hour and stretch your back, neck, and arms. You also have to train yourself to consciously paying attention to your posture and sitting position every ten to fifteen minutes when behind the computer, and correcting it as often as you have to until your body learns to adjust. Remember that your body will have a tendency to do what is easier, so training it to sit straight is going to take some time and effort. A lifestyle change is never complete without exercising regularly – at least three times a week – to strengthen your back and neck muscles and allow blood to flow into your muscles and joints.
You only have one body, and there is nothing more frustrating than experiencing pain and discomfort every day and every night as a result of poor work and computer habits. You have the tools to reverse months or years of strain on your body, and all you have to do is commit to living a healthy life and taking some very simple steps.
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