6 Exercises to do at Your Desk to Prevent Pain & Stiffness
Feb 2, 2021
|By Deidre Ann Johnson
Combat Desk Discomfort
Prolonged desk work can wreak havoc on your body, leading to stiffness, muscle tension, and potential chronic pain. Fortunately, incorporating these 6 desk exercises into your workday can alleviate these discomforts and boost your overall well-being.
Neck Relief
- Lateral Flexion: Gently tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear towards your shoulder. Hold for ten seconds before switching sides.
- Rotation: Turn your head as far as comfortably possible to look over one shoulder, then the other. Hold each position for ten seconds.
Move your head side to side to prevent stiffness.
Neck stiffness is common with computer work. Move it!
Shoulder Salvation
- Scapular Retraction: Draw your shoulders back, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Resist the urge to shrug. Hold for five seconds and repeat ten times.
Computer work can cause elongating and weakness of the muscles around the shoulder blades (scapula). Do scapula squeezes to activate them.
Wrist Wellness
- Prayer Stretch: Bring your palms together in front of your chest, pressing them firmly together. Hold for ten seconds.
Stretch the wrist flexor often while working on computer.
Back Boost
- Back Extension: Stand up and gently arch your back backward, placing your hands on your lower back for support. Hold for ten seconds. This counteracts the prolonged sitting posture.
Great lower back stretch after sitting for a long time.
Great desk stretch to prevent low back pain.
Regular movement is key to preventing discomfort and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
You may not be able to do all of these exercises but read more here.
