Working from home? Top tips for a healthy back and good working posture

As many of you are now working from home, I thought it might be worth going through a few pointers about how to do this healthily. I am already seeing quite a few patients who have aggravated their backs and necks within the first few days of isolation.

 

• If possible, designate a specific area in your home for working and always work at a table, sitting on a chair, rather than on the sofa or in bed.

• The top of your screen should be level with your eyebrows and if you are working from a laptop, make sure you are not hunching over the screen. If you don’t want to invest in a computer stand, place sturdy books, for example shopping catalogues, under your laptop so that you can adjust the level of the screen to fit your eye line.

• Use a detachable keyboard and mouse whenever possible, as this will ensure that your movement is not restricted and you are not placing unnecessary strain on your back.

SH Health Morning Stretch• Taking regular breaks is extremely important. Be sure to move around every 20-30 minutes. An easy way to ensure that you get away from your desk is to set a loud alarm in another room.

• When making phone calls, take the opportunity to get up from your desk and move around as you talk, preferably using an earpiece.

•  Embrace the privacy of working from home by doing regular stretches.

Andrew Doody – Osteopath at Shine, Church Street