While it’s true that the shoulder is the body’s most unstable joint, shoulder pain isn’t natural (unless you’ve just suffered an injury). If you’re experiencing shoulder pain near Charlotte, the likely cause is weak or poor posture, worsened by movements and positioning that could be described as repetitive, awkward, and/or prolonged, such as the movements and positioning experienced by people working long hours at a desk or in front of a computer.
The good news is that there are various posture adjustments that can help prevent shoulder pain. Let’s take a look at three of the simplest and most effective:
The Art of Sitting
It sounds silly to say there’s an “art” to sitting, but believe it or not there really is. Calling it an art is overstating things, but there is a right and a wrong way to sit. The right way consists of:
● Planting one’s feet flat and firmly on the floor or a stable footrest, with the thighs parallel to the ground. This positioning helps support the lower back, as does a chair with a backing.
● Support your elbows on your desk or on your chair’s armrests, and keep your elbows close to your body
● Your wrists and hands should be aligned with your forearms
● Most importantly, and a consequence of the above actions, your shoulders should be relaxed
Proper sitting becomes increasingly important as the day wears on and the average person starts to slouch, which causes undue strain on the body and worsens posture. But if you’re able to practice good sitting and proper posture throughout the day, it will go a long way towards preventing shoulder pain.
An Ergonomically-correct Workspace
Workspaces are often times a reflection of one’s personality, varying between neat ‘n tidy to controlled chaos. However, if you want to prevent shoulder pain, the following steps are applicable no matter your personality or the state of your workspace:
While seated, your desk should be level with your elbows. A desk that’s too high or too low can cause shoulder fatigue. If your desk lacks adjustability, install an adjustable keyboard and mouse tray.
Regarding your computer, the monitor should be at arm’s length from where you’re seated, with the screen’s top aligned just below your eye level. Also, your keyboard and monitor should always be centered in front of you. It’s also vital that all regularly-used supplies are kept within easy reach so that you don’t need to twist or stretch every time you need something. When you establish and maintain this type of uniform alignment, you reduce the need to twist your neck when looking at the monitor or stretch your arms to grab a supply. This in turn reduces your chances of experiencing shoulder pain.
Stay Active
One of the best ways to prevent shoulder pain has nothing to do with your desk environment and positioning. Instead, it has everything to do with staying active throughout the work day. Take a mini-break every 30 minutes and shake out your hands and arms. And every 2 – 3 hours, get up and take a 10-minute walk, along with a slightly longer walk during your lunch hour.
For expert shoulder pain treatment near Charlotte and tips for prevention, contact Active Life Chiropractic today.