Is Working from Home a Pain in Your Neck?

As companies continue to realize the benefits of remote work, more employees than ever are working from home. For some, working from home means working in your pajamas with endless snacks at your disposal. For others, working from home can be a pain, especially if your workstation isn’t set up properly. If you find yourself feeling neck or back pain while working from home, the experts at One Accord Physical Therapy are here to help you optimize your home workspace. 

What is tech neck?

Tech neck, also called text neck, is caused by staring down at our phones and computer screens for too long. If your screen is positioned too low for your line of vision, try placing books or other items beneath your screen to help raise it. That way, you’ll keep your head level to ease the strain on your neck and back from bending too low. 

Where and how to sit

Although we may appreciate a day to lounge around on the sofa binge-watching our favorite series, sitting on your sofa while working is not an ideal situation for keeping neck and back pain at bay. To help prevent back and neck pain, consider sitting in a chair at a desk or table. If possible, look into purchasing an ergonomic chair. 

An ergonomic chair is designed to help you keep your back straight, your elbows close, your shoulders relaxed, and your feet flat on the floor. By sitting upright on a firm surface, you’ll keep your spine and neck aligned to help you handle whatever work is thrown your way. Check with your Human Resources department to see if your employer offers chairs as part of their benefits package. 

Move around

As with anything, it’s never a good idea to remain stagnant for too long. Studies show consistently sedentary lifestyles can cause an array of adverse health effects, such as heart disease, neck pain, and hypertension. 

The professionals at One Accord Physical Therapy can help guide you with information and simple exercises to help you get the most activity while remaining at your workstation. Of course, exercising from your desk may not be possible due to space constraints or team meetings. Whatever the case, do your best to get up, stretch, and move as often as possible. 

Treatment for neck pain

If working from home is causing pain that doesn’t go away on its own after a few days, give us a call. Our dedicated team of specialists will work with you to customize your treatment plan. We offer an array of services to help ease your aches, including:

• Joint mobilization 
• Spinal manipulation
• Manual therapy
• Prescriptive and therapeutic exercises
• Dry needling 

Don’t let working from home become a pain in your neck. If you’re new to working remotely or want to enhance your existing home office, call our office or go online to schedule your free consultation with One Accord Physical Therapy today.