Does Computer Work Cause You Pain? [Infographic]

The vast majority of people in Singapore sit at work, looking down at a computer for long periods of time. Mobility is critical for spinal health. Sitting for short periods of time is not a problem, but excessive computer work in a fixed, seated position for prolonged periods of time is one of the leading causes of neck pain, shoulder aches, headaches, and general spinal injury.

Related Article: 5 Easy Everyday Tips for a Healthy Spine

Sitting may not seem like a major problem, but the stress of this passive posture accumulates as time goes by. If we sit hour after hour, eight-plus hours per day, day after day, week after week, month after month, for multiple years, the tension can really build up.

This type of gradual, insidious stress can slowly develop and have a profound effect on your health over time. Modern life, starting from a very young age, forces us to be in seated, fixed postures a lot; this fact can lead to a condition known as Forward Head Posture.

Forward Head Posture is a very common posture distortion pattern seen when your head is locked forward of its ideal position. I would argue that Forward Head Posture is an epidemic in the modern world.

Let’s unpack this further…

Forward Head Posture Damages Your Health

Simple stress, like sitting at a computer or spending a lot of time surfing the internet on your phone, can have dramatic consequences for your health when accumulated.

Let’s look a little deeper.

Here’s an Ideal X-ray

As you can see, there is a normal, forward curve as seen on this person’s x-ray. This ideal alignment allows for good posture and optimal function of this person’s nerve system. They likely have good movement and limited pain and dysfunction. This is what we want to see when people come in to have their spines checked.

Here’s an X-ray of a Person that has Forward Head Posture

Again, one of the major causes of forward head posture is the act of looking down for long periods of time. This bad posture is an effect of a deeper, structural problem on the inside: the type of spinal misalignment above.

In this case, you can see a straightening misalignment of the spinal bones. This person’s spine should be curved forward, but it is too straight, and that’s a problem.

This misalignment condition will cause excessive stress to the muscles, ligaments, discs, and most critically the nerves associated with those regions.

Related Article: 5 Easy Everyday Tips for a Healthy Spine

In this specific case, this person had a lot of muscle aches, shoulder stiffness, restricted movement, neck pain, bad posture, and frequent headaches.

Posture-related spine problems are far too common because many of us spend a lot of time sitting at computers, on our smartphones with bad posture, and have to contend with continual mental and emotional stress.

Pain While Sitting?

In our next post, we will explore simple tips and strategies to reduce the negative effects of sitting for long hours and to help you feel better fast.

Watch this space for updates.

Align Your Spine, Maximize Your Life

The health of your spine is the foundation of your overall health because your spine directly affects the performance of your nervous system. Chiropractors are specialists in improving your spine alignment and restoring your nervous system to optimal function.

Nerve supply is life supply!

Schedule a spinal checkup today to see if chiropractic is right for you.