Back Pain in the Office: Go Ahead, Blame Your Chair

Did you know one of the biggest health issuesI speak of this problem somewhat farcically but it
plaguing office workers is lower back pain? Whyis definitely a real problem throughout the office
would this condition most would attribute to liftingworld. There are all kinds of expensive classes
heavy objects be such a prominent conditionyou can take to help with posture and breathing:
among those working in an office environment? IfTai Chi, Qigong, Alexander technique. While very
you are sitting down reading this, look no furtherhelpful, these classes are quite expensive and
than right behind you. Office chairs are nottime consuming. Why not fix the problem at its
designed to give proper support during use. Theyorigin? If not, you will have invested all that time
are designed to provide a place to sit, howeverand money only to step into that office and sit
uncomfortably, and at the least cost possible.down in the same uncomfortable chair that
Your boss' big comfy chair is more suited tostarted the pain. Something as simple as a lumbar
provide adequate support on those long dayspillow can make a world of difference to an old
meeting with current or potential clients, readinguncomfortable chair. For the same price as a
through reports, or talking on the phone to aweekend of breathing exercises and posture
facilities manager in China for two hours. Welltechniques you could have a permanent solution
guess what, he is the boss so he is entitled toto a recurrent problem. A well manufactured chair
that $2000 chair that massages, heats, cools, andwith a built-in lumbar support can turn a long,
probably dispenses coffee from a tap in the arm.painful week behind a desk into a long, productive
We have all tried to sit up straighter and take theweek behind a desk. I am sorry to say a new
occasional stretch break, but by the end of thechair won't make the job any easier, but it will
day, even a Monday, we all find ourselvesleave you feeling a little more rejuvenated by the
slouched over our keyboard wondering if 5pm istime 5 o'clock rolls around.
ever going to come.