4 Physical Side Effects Caused by a Desk Job
Roughly 86% of American workers sit all day at work. The stress, long hours, and inactivity of your desk job can shave years off your life. Here are the long-term physical side effects caused by a desk job.
1. Neck Pain
When sitting at a desk all day, it can be difficult to maintain proper neck posture. Since most work stations are set up with a monitor that’s much lower than your line of sight, your head may tilt forward, causing neck strain. To alleviate this pain, consider raising your computer screen or opting for a standing desk.
2. Wrist Pain
Problems with your wrist and hands tend to be correlated with carpal tunnel syndrome. However, your wrist pain may be caused by the way you’ve arranged your keyboard and mouse. To reduce wrist and hand pain, re-position your arm. In addition, try to relax your shoulders and arms when you’re not at your desk.
3. Sciatic Pain
Similar to neck pain, sciatic pain is often caused by improper posture. This pain starts from the lower back and runs down the back of one leg. While certain exercises may reduce the pain, we recommend visiting a back pain specialist to find the root cause.
5. Eyestrain
These days, we stare at screens for just about everything, which can lead to:
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Dry, red eyes
- Eye irritation
- Headaches
Give your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take 20 second break and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away.
Alleviate Pain with Lakeview Family Medicine
Working at a desk all day can lead to aches, pains, muscular-skeletal disorders, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and more. If you’re suffering from any of these conditions, schedule a visit with Lakeview Family Medicine. One of our qualified providers will meet with you one-on-one to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and goals.