If you suffer from neck, shoulder or upper back pain as you sit at your desk, working for long periods, help is at hand
Why do we suffer from neck, shoulder and upper back pain?
why we get back pain
Our arms come forward and pectoral muscles become shorter bring our shoulders forward
Our upper back is arched forward stretching our postural muscles in our upper back
Our neck muscles have to hold our head up so we can see the screen
Our lower back muscles have to do more work just to keep us bending forward slightly
And we keep this position for hours on end! Its like running a marathon every day for months on end for our postural muscles.
So our bodies adapt
In order to cope with the daily demands we put on our neck, shoulder and upper back muscles our bodies adapt. And the flexibility in those muscles is reduced so you can maintain that position for hours on end. However there is a cost.
There is a build up of lactic acid in our postural muscles. This causes inflammation
With Inflammation our bodies then lay down Collagen as part of the healing process
This in turn reduces mobility
Reduced mobility leads to reduced circulation which in turn leads to fibrotic changes in the muscle and more inflammation
A vicious circle leading to long term pain and stiffness.
However adaptation works both ways
If our bodies can adapt to reduced mobility they can adapt to increased mobility.
Through regular movement and exercise of those muscles you can revise the effects of lack of movement. You just need the right exercises.
The 2 minute Desk work out
This work out needs to be done regularly . Every 30 -60 mins at your desk. You need to ensure that the brain receives regular nerve input from the muscles and proprioceptors in your neck , shoulders and upper back proving that they are working. In short you need to get them moving .
The work out will:-
Improve muscle health in shoulders and upper back
Reduce build up of lactic acid and that aching feeling
Improve muscles and joint flexibility over time
30 secs bending forward and back- be careful not to extend too far –
30 sec side bending as shown
30 sec T spine samba- great for rotation
30 sec shoulder rolls (15s fwd and 15 s backwards)
Do this regularly at work and you will really notice a difference. If you think you need some extra help then please get in touch.
Hugo Firth BOst, Bsc, MA.
