Pain Reduction for Desk Employees

Aug. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- Employees sit in the same position for multiple hours in the office.  This causes muscle tension issues throughout the body and results in pain.  “The most common problems we see with employees in the workplace include headaches, neck tension, pain radiating down the arms, and low back pain,” says Lisa Meloche President, Bodywork Alternatives provider of national chair massage services.  
Problem:  Employee’s arms are extended forward while typing on a computer or navigating a mouse for several hours per day.  This position creates a shortening of the chest muscles and tightening of the muscles in the under arm area.  This results in pain throughout the upper back and down the arms.
Solution:  To stretch the chest muscles, press the palms of both hands on the lower back to open the chest.  To stretch the underarm muscles, place both hands on a wall above your head, take a couple steps back, lower chest and head towards the wall to feel a stretch under the arm.
Problem:  Employees sit in a chair for extended periods of time.  The hamstring muscles are shortened and begin to pull on the torso creating lower back pain.
Solution:  To stretch the hamstring muscles, lie on your back on the floor, straighten the leg straight into the air, and with a towel or belt wrapped around the bottom of the foot pull the leg towards the nose and then to each year.  This slight movement will stretch the entire hamstring.
Problem:  Employees experience neck tension and often resulting into a headache.  
Solution:  To stretch the neck muscles, tilt the head towards each shoulder.  To activate the neck muscles to help them to relax, place your hand on your cheek and turn the head towards the palm of your hand creating resistance.  Repeat on each side.
Combine these simple stretches with a weight training program and massage therapy to dramatically improve these problem areas.
Bodywork Alternatives provides national on-site chair massage services for employee wellness programs and health fairs.  You can reach Lisa Meloche at 586-707-1017 or info@bodyworkalternatives.com or visit http://www.bodyworkalternatives.com