Office Workers and Posture: Advice from the BCA

New figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that almost 31 million days of work were lost last year due to back, neck and muscle problems. The Labour Force Survey found that musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions were responsible for more prolonged absences than any other problem.

Office workers need to pay attention to how they sit and for how long; the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has some great advice for office workers.
– Always take the time to adjust your office chair

– Your seat should be adjusted so that your feet are flat on the ground, your knees bent, but with aslope from your hips to your knees. You should end up with your hips higher than your knees and your eyes level with the top of the computer screen.
– Relax when sitting into your chair, making sure you have your bottom against the seat back with your shoulder blades are touching the back rest of the chair.
– Arms should be flat and your elbows level with the desk or table you are using. Use a seat with arm rests.

– Take regular breaks. Never sit at the computer for more than 40 minutes; less if possible. When you take a break, walk around and stretch a little; do something completely different.