Dr. Stephanie Anisko
Chiropractor & Contemporary Medical Acupuncture
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SITTING DOWN ON THE JOB

4/4/2016

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Many of my patients have jobs that require sitting most of the day at a desk.  Here are some great tips from the Ontario Chiropractic Association to help ease the strain of prolonged sitting.


Does your job find you sitting most of the day?

While sitting can seem restful, keep in mind that staying in any one position for long periods of time can cause strain and injury to your muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments.

Sustained sitting can take a toll on your neck and lower back – steady compression on the spinal discs hinders their nutrition and can contribute to premature degeneration.
So, if you have to sit at work, what can you do to stay pain-free? Help take the load off your back with these tips:


Take frequent breaks

First, ensure that you take regular breaks from sitting. Get up, take a short walk outside or around the office, and stretch.


Posture perfect

Next, pay attention to your posture. Sitting incorrectly puts strain on your lower back, decreases blood flow to your working muscles and accelerates fatigue. Practise “active sitting” with your feet flat on the ground in front of you, your back straight, your shoulders squared and your chin parallel with the floor. This posture will strengthen the “core” muscles of your abdomen, sides and back to reduce the strain on other areas. The stronger your core muscles, the easier it will be to maintain good posture.


Choose a good office chair

What’s most important in preventing injury and strain is to be able to easily vary your sitting positions throughout the day. An investment in a good office chair can help a lot. The right chair for you should:
  • Be easily adjustable to suit your size
  • Adapt to support your spine in various working positions
  • Have a backrest that supports your lower back
  • Have armrests, if they are appropriate to your work
  • Have a front edge that curves downward to promote proper posture

Stability balls

One recent trend is to use a stability ball at the office. While a ball is a great tool to help you tone your abs at home or at the gym, it should not replace a good chair at your work station. If you do bring the ball to work:
  • Use the ball only for short periods
  • Use your abdominal, back and side muscles to maintain straight posture
  • Stop when your muscles feel tired
Sitting on a ball instead of a chair can actually increase the pressure on your back, especially if your core muscles aren’t strong. So, sitting a long time on the ball may lead to greater discomfort in your lower back. Do not use a ball if you have osteoporosis, balance or low back problems.

Remember, stability balls are not for everyone; consult with Dr. Steph if you have any pre-existing injury or health problems that could impact your balance or stability.

To read this article on the OCA Website, please click here.
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    Get to Know Dr. Steph

    I love being a chiropractor! Along with my clinical practice, combining my career with my sports passion has also lead me on a worldly adventure traveling as Canadian National Diving team chiropractor. My biggest adventure thus far is being a mother of two amazing daughters, Madeline and Zoey!

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Dr. Steph is available Monday through Friday at various times throughout the day for appointments.

Please contact Dr. Steph by phone, email or submit your email above if you would like to arrange an appointment.



Contact Information for Dr. Stephanie Anisko

11-3620A Laird Road
Mississauga, Ontario
​L5L 6A8
:
(647) 287-6683
[email protected]