Over 80% of jobs in the United States are done in front of a computer. We have only become more sedentary in our work lives since the start of the global pandemic. 

Sitting seems like it should be a low-impact activity that would not cause harm; however, being too sedentary can cause significant issues. 

• The average American spends upwards of eleven hours every day seated.
• Every year, 300,000 Americans die as a result of a lack of exercise and a poor diet.
• Lack of physical activity is linked to a fifth of all fatalities in persons aged 35 and up.
• Treatment for issues associated with sedentary lifestyles costs upwards of 24 billion dollars.

If you sit for many hours a day for your job and experience back pain, it is likely connected. In fact, sitting disease is a term coined by the medical community that is used to describe the negative impacts of sitting too much. If your posture is not perfect, you could be doing damage to your spine’s alignment every moment that you are sitting. 

That has become especially true since much of the workforce has shifted to performing the functions of their jobs from home. 

Many people are working at dining room tables with makeshift office set-ups. Their office furniture may be made up of kitchen chairs that are not designed for prolonged sitting. Here is what you need to know about how to correct back pain caused by being seated too long. 

Help! I Have Back Pain from Being Seated Too Often

In a previous post, we wrote: 

“Wherever your workspace is, chances are you aren’t in a healthy posture. To prevent physical strain and potential injuries, you should spend as much time as you can work in a neutral posture, a comfortable body position, and periodically move around to promote circulation.”

Ways you can mitigate some of the effects of sitting disease include:

• As a general guideline, you should stand one every hour. It's a good idea to stand for 5 to 15 minutes every 45 minutes.
• Consider doing some basic stretches throughout the day in addition to standing.
• If you have a lunch break, eat your lunch and then go for a stroll instead of watching TV or looking at your phone.
• You can use a standing desk or a hybrid workstation that can be adjusted to a standing or sitting posture instead of sitting at your desk all day.
• Keep your mouse low so that your shoulder is not shrugged.
• Short walks and modest exercise can take the place of coffee breaks if you work in an office.
• Too many individuals are peering down at their computer screens. Make sure that your monitor is at eye level to avoid dropping your head.
• When you are looking at your phone, hold it up so that you are not looking down. 
• To provide support for your back and neck, sit in a sturdy, ergonomically designed chair.

Visit Your Asheville Chiropractor for Seated Back Pain Relief

While these tips are important for preventing additional back pain caused by being seated, you need more help to correct the spinal misalignments that are causing your discomfort. If you have back pain from being seated too much during the day or sitting with poor posture, contact Monitto Chiropractic to schedule an appointment today.