You’ve been working hard, and that pain between your shoulder blades or the aches in your lower back just don’t seem to be going away. The cause of your back pain could be something you haven’t even considered: technology! Chiropractic treatment for back pain may alleviate the problem, but it might be worth it to take a look at your computer habits.

Technology as a Cause of Back Pain

The devices that you use every day could be contributing to poor posture, awkward positioning, and inadequate support, which can wreak havoc on your back. This is just one of the health problems caused by technology that we have seen in recent years.

Try the following tips to avoid letting your technology get the better of you and to ensure it stops causing your discomfort.

Where Does It Hurt?

There are several different types of back pain, and the kind that you can get from spending time working without support contributes to chronic back pain, often lasting longer than six months. This can lead to a lifetime of back issues, poor posture, and difficulty sitting or standing for extended periods of time. The compensations that your body makes to alleviate acute pain can result in enduring chronic pain without proper treatment, alignment, or lifestyle changes.

Check Your Chair

Does your chair provide lumbar support? Poor ergonomics and posture in a work setting are just one possible cause of back pain, especially in the lower back. Look for a chair that will provide lower-back support and comfort during long hours sitting at a desk. Invest in a chair that is adjustable so it will fit the height of your work-station perfectly and so that you can slightly recline the seat to further relax and support your lower back.

Stop the Slump

Keep your head and neck above your shoulders when working on a computer or device. Don’t lean ahead, slumping your back, to get a better view of your screen or to relax. This contributes to the humped-back that causes long-term upper back and neck pain. Work with your computer mouse nearby to avoid the strain and pain of overextending and reaching for it frequently.

Fix Your Feet

Make sure that you plant your feet firmly on the ground during long periods of working at your desk and on your computer. A good rule of thumb is to keep feet shoulder-length apart. Also, keep your knees directly above your ankles, a 90-degree angle is recommended, to take pressure off your spine and to prevent back discomfort. Avoid crossing your legs; this not only puts strain on your spine and back, but it also can lead to varicose veins over time.

Take a Break

Aim to take a break from sitting and working every hour if possible. Take this time to stretch and practice rolling your shoulders. This will make you feel less stiff and more limber at the end of the day, which can also alleviate the end-of-the-day fatigue that your body often experiences after sitting at a desk for a long period of time.

Move Your Screen

Adjust your monitor or screen so it rests a couple-inches above eye level. Even when it is slightly below eye-level, you will find that it impacts your back as you adjust to see it clearly. Also, keep the screen an arm’s length from you when working: any closer and it can cause eye strain; any further and you will feel it in your back and torso.

Alleviating Back Pain Through Chiropractic

Don’t let your computer or devices get the better of you and contribute to chronic back pain. Make some simple adjustments to ensure that you are getting proper support and ergonomic relief when you spend significant time in front of a screen. Use these tips to alleviate back pain caused by poor posture, an unsupportive chair, or long hours online.

If you’ve been spending too much time at the computer with poor posture, or if you don’t know what the cause of your back pain is, call Scott Chiropractic at (970) 889-1897 to seek relief.