Back Pain Due to Computer Use

Back pain due to computer use is a most common problem seen in 4 out of 5 persons at any point of life, caused due to long hours of working in front of computer or bad posture while using the computer and lack of practicing relaxing exercises before using the computers

Back Pain:

The back is the workhorse of human body carrying the burden of the entire body, and is responsible for almost every move you make. This makes it susceptible to injury, and the resultant back pain can be quite immobilizing
Back pain relief exercises help most patients. In fact, those who suffer from chronic back pain usually benefit from regular stretches and bends and easy to apply treatments
When a person suffers from back pain, he or she may take a few days off to rest the back. Most physiotherapist, however recommend back pain relief exercises, that both stretching and relaxation of the area
Bad posture or sudden jerks or Lack of relaxing exercises, overweight are some of the root causes
- When a spinal disk presses on a nerve, it causes a herniated disk
- Sometimes the herniated disk presses on hard on the sciatic nerve, resulting in sharp shooting pain right across the lower part of the body, this is known as sciatica
- When the vertebras of the spinal column slip forward, over lapping each other the painful condition of Spondylolisthesis occurs
- These problems could result in a herniated disk, or Sciatica, Spinal stenosis, Spondylosis and Spondylolisthesis

Treatment and Preventive Measures:

Yoga:

Doing yoga cultivates a balance between the flexibility and strength of the muscles of the body
People with back pain have to be extra careful when trying out exercises
Essentially yoga increases the skeletal and muscle strength of the back while correcting the problems. It also builds up the abdominal muscles.
The yoga poses need to be held for a few seconds, stretching and relaxing the back.

Core Stabilizing Technique:

Core stabilization or core strength or core support means strengthening the core muscles of the body is an excellent way to support upright posture and good alignment, as well as reduce back or neck pain.
Rehabiliation clinics are giving core strengthening exercises as home programs to their back and neck patients
Back pain relief exercises are accompanied by physical therapy treatments like massage, application of heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and other such techniques.

Water Exercises:

Also known as aquatic therapy, utilizes unique properties of water to strengthen back muscles, increase flexibility and decrease pain
Being in the water provides support and weightlessness, which reduces pressure on the joints caused by weight bearing and/or exercising on land
The supportive water environment is one in which back pain is reduced, making it an excellent choice for people with arthritis or with injuries to heal
The buoyancy of water can support your body while you move your joints, which helps to increase joint range of motion. Resistance also will help you to strengthen your muscles

Egoscue Method:

The Egoscue is an unconventional system of exercise that aims at restoring body’s natural motion capabilities. The Egoscue method is a series of exercises that restores the body’s natural motion capabilities

Stretching and Exercising While at Work:

Sit properly in a good chair designed for desk work
Your back should be straight, your shoulders back, and the top of your monitor should be level with your eyes
If you have to look down or up, you need to adjust the height of your screen
Keep your legs bent at the knees so that the knees are only slightly higher than your hips
Feet should be flat on the floor or on a step stool of some sort
Stand up every half hour to stretch or walk around a bit.
Stretch your calves, and give your eyes a break from focusing on your computer screen. This will also help prevent blood clots from developing in your legs. Blood clots are very common among middle-aged computer users
To stretch your neck, flex your head forward/backward, side to side and look right and left. Never roll your head around your neck. This could cause damage to the joints of the neck

Back Posture:

To stretch your chest and strengthen your upper back muscles:
With your feet flat on the floor, sit slightly forward in a sturdy chair, keeping your back and neck straight
Look straight ahead and bend your arms at the elbows
Gently move your elbows and shoulder blades back as far as you can and still be comfortable
Hold the position for five seconds while breathing normally. Return your arms to the starting position. Repeat this exercise five to 10 times, depending on your ability. Pelvic tilt

Upper Back Exercises:

To stretch your upper back and shoulders:

Lie on the floor. Bend your knees, tighten your abdominal muscles and stretch your arms above your head
Keeping your arms straight, spread them out and lower them until they’re level with your shoulders
Hold the position for a few seconds while breathing normally. Then return your arms to the starting position. Repeat this exercise five to 10 times, depending on your ability