...now, I know that you all know what correct posture at a desk is when you're working, but just in case you've forgotten - here it is:
...but let's be honest - by the end of the day, most of us wind up sitting like this......or even worse...but that's only half of the picture...
...let's revisit what you already know - a large percentage of you spend between 6 and 16 hours in front of a computer a day. That's 25-67% of your day in the (roughly) one position. Which really makes your posture in front of the computer incredibly crucial. Poor posture can contribute to a number of postural syndromes, which usually lead to humanity's greatest motivator - PAIN!!
"...so, Caolan - you're telling me if I sit properly at work all day, then I'll never have a problem and I won't have to visit you as often??"
...comments like that make me think you don't love coming...but essentially, no of course that's not true...even if you do all the correct things with your posture at work all day, there is still the problem that you are actually sitting for that long a period during the day...
"...umm, Caolan - I don't think my boss is going to be real impressed at me getting up and walking away from my desk all during the day..."
...no, he's probably not...but part of looking after your body at work includes what you do outside work too...
...okay, I am going to assume that most of you will be seated in front of a computer when you read this...and I know all of you will have just adjusted your posture so that you're sitting like that first illustration...I'll give you another second to double check yourself...
...good?? Okay, now contract your hamstrings (that's the big muscle down the back of your upper thigh if I have been too technical)...what's that?? You can't?? Oh...you can a little bit...fine, now try and contract your hip flexors...same problem?? I'll explain why...
...the seated position puts those two muscle groups into a situation called passive insufficiency...which is a really fancy way of saying the muscle is in a position that is too short for it to have an effective contraction...
...so if you spend 6 to 16 hours a day in this position, you'll wind up with two things - firstly, a shortened muscle and secondly, a weakened muscle...which is a recipe for eventual disaster...
"...great, so my job is eventually going to hurt me...what am I going to do about it??"
...well, I'm glad you asked...really, it's simple - you're going to lengthen and strengthen those muscles...something as simple as walking and a light stretching program will be enough to counteract those hours at the office...
...and of course, if you want to know more - ask your chiro...
