Most people don’t notice their posture changing. It happens gradually. The head drifts forward, the shoulders round, and the lower back loses its natural curve. Over time, those small changes can contribute to headaches, neck pain, numbness, tingling, and even pain that radiates into the legs.
One of the things that I have a lot of conversations with patients about is working from home, working at a desk, and posture.”
What Forward Head Posture Does to the Neck
One of the most common posture problems today is forward head posture. Whether you’re working on a computer, typing on a keyboard, or spending hours on a laptop, it’s easy for the head and neck to move forward in front of the shoulders.
Here’s the problem: this position places extra stress on the cervical spine. Over time, it can contribute to degenerative changes in the neck and lead to a variety of health concerns, including headaches, neck pain, and numbness or tingling in the arms.
When working at a desk, it’s important to keep your head up and make sure your spine is properly supported.
A Simple Exercise You Can Do Today
One exercise Dr. Kriva recommends is bringing your chin straight back, as if you’re making a gentle double chin. Hold the position for about 10 seconds and repeat it several times throughout the day.
Don’t Forget About Your Lower Back
The lumbar spine needs support too. When sitting for long periods, it’s important to maintain the natural curve in the lower back. A chair with proper lumbar support can help keep that curve in place.
If the low back loses its normal curvature during extended periods of sitting, it can contribute to disc bulges, disc herniations, arthritis, low back pain, and radiating pain into the leg.
Protecting Your Spine at Work
Sitting may not seem physically demanding, but poor posture and inadequate support can place significant stress on the spine over time.
If you’re experiencing headaches, neck pain, numbness, tingling, or low back discomfort related to desk work, consider having your spine evaluated. The team at Parkview Chiropractic Clinic in Oakdale can assess your posture, discuss your concerns, and help you better understand what’s contributing to your symptoms.