You would think that working in an office would be one of the safest career options out there, wouldn’t you? There are very few hazards to navigate and no need to wear safety equipment while doing your job. It almost seems as if nothing could possibly go wrong. However, that’s not the case. Believe it or not, while working in an office, you’re prone to various health problems.
Of course, these aren’t life-threatening health problems or anything serious. However, they can be painful, and can sometimes make doing your job a little difficult. So, it’s important to be aware of what the most common health problems are affecting office workers and the best methods for dealing with them.
It’s not Carpal Tunnel that’s the problem; it’s Cubital Tunnel
Something that office workers, who spend a lot of time clicking and typing each day, worry about is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. However, only three percent of people are diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome each year. It’s Cubital Tunnel Syndrome that office workers should be more worried about.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome affects the ulnar nerve near the elbow and is caused by repetitive bending motions. Such as leaning on your elbows or holding a phone to your ear, for instance. This causes pain, tingling, numbness, and a weakness in the affected arm. The good news is that treatment is effective, as long as the condition is treated early. One of the best treatment methods is using a compression sleeve to help support the area and prevent swelling. It’s also important to change how you’re working, such as by using a headset for phone calls.
Backache and shoulder and neck problems
Office workers who don’t have an ergonomically designed chair are prone to backache, as well as shoulder and neck problems. Backache is caused by not having proper lumbar support in place. While shoulder and neck injuries are caused by hunching over a desk to type, and also by repetitive movements.
The most important thing for dealing with back ache is having a well-designed office chair in place that offers adequate support. It’s also important to strengthen your spine through stretching – yoga is a great way to do this. As for shoulder and neck pain, it’s important to reduce the amount of repetitive movements that you’re doing. It’s also a good idea to ensure that your desk is at the right level for your hands. Otherwise, this can make shoulder and neck pain worse.
Painful headaches
Headaches are a common complaint of office workers. However, if you’ve recently started experiencing headaches and haven’t had them before, it’s a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. Just to rule out any underlying medical conditions. It’s also worth getting an eye test, as often, headaches are caused by eye problems. Once you’ve got the all clear, you’ll know that the headaches are caused by how you’re working. So, you need to make some changes to prevent them from occurring regularly.
As one of the most common causes of tension headaches is constant sitting. This can cause tension in the back and shoulders, making you more prone to tension headaches. So, it’s important not to sit for long periods of time. Get up, take breaks, and go for a walk every so often. It’s also a good idea to do stretches. If possible, get outside and take a walk. Studies have shown that air conditioning can make headaches worse, whereas fresh air can help to prevent them. So, aim to spend a little time outside throughout the day. Last but not least, if you stare at a screen all day, you’ve got a high risk of developing tension headaches caused by eye strain. So, make sure to take regular screen breaks throughout the day.
There you have it, a guide to the most common office job health complaints and how to deal with them.
