The prolonged remote working phase has taken a toll on our backs and necks. MOHD WASIF tells you how by following simple steps you can keep the pain at bay

More than eight months into the COVID-19 crisis, has made us get used to the new normal of adapting to the culture of work from home. Leading companies are heavily involved in standard occupations that aim and promote the work culture of presently sitting at our homes, slumping in front of our portable workstations while also being constrained to oversee family chores. This puts a parcel of strain on our solid, inflexible and rigid spine.

Working from home isn’t transitory; it’s an ambush on our frame. This prolonged remote working phase has surely taken a toll on our backs and necks. And if you fall under those lucky ones who have not faced any kind of back pain as of now the probability of it happening to you too is pretty high. The single leading cause of disability across the world is related to back pain.

Four out of every five adults experience back pain sooner or later in life, making it the most common medical condition around the globe. It’s high time we rethink about and work upon our sitting and sleeping postures. It’s not that this issue didn't exist before the pandemic, but the adaptation to work from home has led to a rapid increase in the number of back and neck strain cases. We know for a fact that as we grow old, our spine ages along with it, and we may start feeling some aches and pains. But the interesting fact is that backache is more than a minor annoyance for people of all age groups.

Now the question arises; what causes the intolerable back and neck pain.

• It all comes down to a single word, posture. Poor posture while doing our day-to-day activities such as sleeping or working, is one of the major reasons behind it. While working in the office, an individual sits on his/her chair for eight hours continuously.
• Strain on a particular ligament or muscle is one of the most common issues leading to issues related to the spinal cord.
• Undoubtedly exercising is good for health but it should be done under proper guidance and training, else this could lead to major health issues like slip disc.

Yes, back and neck pain could prove to be a severe physical condition, but every problem has its own solutions. Few things that could help in avoiding backache, neck ache, or other related issues are discussed as follows.

• Engage in mindful meditation once/twice a day, to keep the body in tune.
• Make exercise a habit, be it yoga or gym the choice is yours. The main purpose is to gently stretch your joints and tissues.
• Make sure your blood circulation isn’t hindered. Take a break after every 45-50 minutes, walk a little.
• Sort out your work setup or workstation as you call it nowadays. Get yourself a comfortable chair which helps in maintaining an upright posture and decreases the strain on the ligaments in the spine while you’re working for long stretches.
• The kind of mattress we choose matters the most. Select a mattress that helps you in keeping your spine neutral and aligned and to minimise any curve in your spine, you can go for orthopedic mattresses. If a mattress is too firm or too squishy it won’t support your spine at your neck or lower back the way it needs to. So choose accordingly.

The writer is Founder-CEO, Fresh Up Mattress