Special Interest Articles
How to Avoid Neck and Back Pain Caused By Poor
Posture While Using the Computer
Adults and students alike are spending more time at
computers. Here are 9 simple ideas for perfect posture
at home, work, and school.
Posture ranks at the top of the list when you are
talking about good health. It is as important as eating
right, exercising, getting a good night's sleep, and
avoiding harmful substances. Unnatural alignment of the
body can cause head, shoulder, neck, and back pain, and
compromise neurological, digestive, respiratory, and
cardiovascular functioning.
"We spend a large portion of our lives sitting,
especially during the computer age, so it's important to
learn to sit tall," explains Dr. Marvin Arnsdorff,
author of "Pete the Posture Parrot" (Body Mechanics
Press, $16.00 at www.bodymechanics.com). "One of the
most common mistakes we make is that when we move into a
sitting position, we tend to aim for the center of the
chair. The proper method is to sit deep in your chair."
Unquestionably, students and adults alike spend more
time at computers today than 20 years ago. Dr. Arnsdorff
offers nine tips designed to keep your posture perfect
when you're at the computer at home, at school, or at
work:
- Sit up straight and deep in the seat. Feet
should be flat on the floor or on a footrest.
- Keep lower arms level with the desk and wrists
straight. (This helps to prevent carpal tunnel
syndrome.)
- Sit close enough to your keyboard to eliminate
stretching, but far enough to avoid leaning. Your
shoulders should be back and your head should be
directly over your shoulders.
- Tap the keyboard lightly; don't pound.
- Place your mouse within easy reach of your
dominant hand. Hold the mouse loosely.
- Place the monitor at eye level, 16 to 24 inches
away.
- Take short stretch breaks every 20 minutes.
- Exercise eyes frequently. Look away and focus on
distant objects.
- Periodically look up at the ceiling to give your
posture muscles a break.
Good posture and body mechanics are an important part
of having a healthy spine, nervous system, and even high
self-esteem. See www.bodymechanics.com for more
information on how kids of all ages can keep their backs
healthy.
Dr. Marvin Arnsdorff is a practicing doctor of
chiropractic, a certified injury prevention specialist,
and leader of the children's ergonomics movement. He is
the author of "Pete the Posture Parrot:
Dinosaur Dreams," the world's first children's book to
address the issue of backpack safety, and co-author of
"Backpack Safety America: A Middle Grades
Curriculum to Promote Backpack Safety and Spinal
Health." Visit
www.bodymechanics.com for more
information.
Author: Dr. Marvin T. Arnsdorff
http://www.backpacksafe.com
Review Full Article
- Updated: April 11, 2003
Health information obtained from
Impact Health is for informational purposes only and is not a
substitute for seeking clinical advice or treatment
relating to any medical condition. If you have a concern
about your health, promptly consult a licensed
healthcare provider. |
