Workplace ergonomics, often overlooked, is critical to maintaining proper spinal health, especially when considering the chiropractic principle of subluxation. Over the past few years with the rise of work from home opportunities, it is no longer just the office setting that we must focus on for workplace ergonomics. Workers are actually spending more time working while at home than in an office, as much as 48 more minutes per day[1]. We also must look at workers who don’t perform their jobs in an office setting at all. Labor jobs still require proper ergonomics to ensure the health/safety of their workers. Whether you’re in an office setting or engaged in manual labor, poor ergonomics can cause harmful postural changes that lead to long-term health issues.
Before we dive into each category of job, let’s fully understand what we are talking about when we talk about chiropractic subluxation. Simply put, a subluxation is altered motion within a joint in the spine, which reduces range of motion in that same joint and can over time lead to postural changes. In the medical world, subluxation refers to a type of dislocation of a joint. This is obviously not the same as the chiropractic definition of subluxation. If a subluxation is not corrected, over time it can lead to premature degenerative changes. To give you an idea of how this works, think about tires on a car. If the tires are out of alignment, the tread will wear unevenly. It doesn’t happen immediately but over time the results can be severe. This concept is very similar to how subluxations can affect your spine if left untreated.
In labor-intensive jobs, repetitive motions, heavy lifting, and improper bending techniques can result in musculoskeletal injuries. Over time, poor posture while lifting or handling heavy objects strains the spine, leading to misalignments or subluxations. These subtle shifts in the vertebrae can affect nerve function, leading to chronic pain, muscle tension, and decreased mobility. Individuals in these roles often experience lower back pain, sciatica, and neck stiffness due to poor ergonomic practices, which left uncorrected, may exacerbate the body’s natural compensation patterns and create a cycle of discomfort. This cycle of discomfort can even prevent these workers from performing their job, which can lead to decreased productivity and earning capacity.
Office workers are equally at risk, particularly due to prolonged sitting and the use of improperly adjusted chairs, desks, and screens, which is exacerbated at home offices. Sitting for extended periods causes slouching, forward head posture, and rounded shoulders, all of which compromise spinal alignment. This can result in upper back, neck, and shoulder pain, as well as issues like headaches and eye strain. Over time, poor ergonomic practices may lead to significant postural deviations, which can also increase the risk of subluxations in the cervical and thoracic spine.
Chiropractors recognize that poor posture and improper workplace ergonomics are often key contributors to subluxations. Addressing these ergonomic issues through proper alignment exercises, regular adjustments, and guidance on workplace posture can help prevent chronic issues, improve nerve function, and promote overall wellness. Ensuring that your workplace environment supports good posture is essential to maintaining a healthy spine and nervous system.
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/glebtsipursky/2022/11/03/workers-are-less-productive-working-remotely-at-least-thats-what-their-bosses-think/