Break Through Your Pain: Tips from the American Osteopathic Association

This post brought to you by American Osteopathic Association. All opinions are 100% mine.

Thirty years of working in an office and sitting at a desk have taken their toll on me.  For many years, I have suffered from pain in my lower back and neck.  I’m not inclined to take an overabundance of over-the-counter medications (which all have their own side effects) so I tend to suffer through and hope a good night’s sleep will carry me through until the next day.

Well, help is on the way.  The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is helping Americans avoid and prevent pain in the workplace with their Break Through Your Pain program.  The AOA found that more than 70 percent of office workers spend 5+ hours sitting at their desks.  If they’re like me, they find themselves tethered to the desk in front of a computer for hours on end.  The opportunity to get up and stretch generally doesn’t present itself.  As such, I suffer through each day.

I know from experience that chronic pain makes it more difficult to participate in day-to-day activities at work and at home.  Many days, after a long stretch of sitting at work, I find it is all I can do to get in the car, go home and neglect those things I need to do due to pain.

The AOA also found that 2 in 5 office workers would not consider getting up from their desks if they needed to talk to a colleague.  I, for one, fall into this category.  After all, it’s easier to send an email or instant message than to stand up, walk across the hall and talk to someone face-to-face.

New videos released by the AOA show how to avoid and prevent pain in the workplace.  The video featuring Rob Danoff, DO, an AOA board-certified family physician, tells you how to position yourself at your desk to eliminate unnecessary strain on your body while at work. Another demonstrates two stretches which will help to alleviate the stress of constant sitting.  I think I can spare a minute every hour or so to try these stretches.  After all, what do I have to lose except the pain in my back and legs!

Luckily, it only takes 60 seconds to begin to break through your pain by watching the AOA’s video about how to avoid and prevent pain in the workplace. I found them to be quick, easy and lessened the tenseness in my shoulders and back.  After watching these videos, I’ve decided to give the stretches a try.

I encourage you to check out these videos and let us know if they help you. Spread the word by sharing this post on your social networks.  Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to start a “stretch minute” in your office each day!