Chronic Pain in the Workplace

Over 116 million Americans experience chronic pain and they have to deal with it when they go into the workplace.  Rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, eye strain, neck pain, carpal tunnel and lots more are exacerbated by today's modern office habits.  We were not made to be sedentary and be placed in situtations that require repetitive motion.  Factory line workers are most often thought of as having repetitive motion injuries, but if you sit at a desk all day you are at risk too.

The linked article goes into more detail but here are a few suggetions:

  • Change your position often.  Experts say do this every 15-20 minutes
  • Stretch.  Muscles shorten when you sit and remain in a set postion.  This can entrap nerves and create pain.  
  • Reduce Stress. Stress makes muscle recovery worse, makes it harder for the body to heal, increases blood pressure and lots more.  Reduce stress.
  • Avoid repetitive motion. The more you do the same thing the tighter the muscles get and the less range of motion.  The result can be pain.
  • Be ergonomically smart.  Chair height, back support, wrist support, computer screen height all make a difference.

A massage therapy program of once a month is a good routine to get into.  Massage will:

  • Improve range of motion
  • Reduce tissue swelling
  • Relax and calm the body
  • Take the body out of its state of stress
  • Free up trapped nerves that cause pain
  • Increase your energy level
  • Restore the body to a balanced and healthy state
  • Calm down tense tissue

Of course, if you are in acute pain, massage therapy can help right away.  There is no need to continue to be in pain or take medications. Massage therapy can break that pain cycle.

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