Ontario Chiropractic Association www.chiropractic.on.ca
 oca@chiropractic.on.ca

Today we will:
1) Identify the risks for poor spine health at work
2) Provide prevention of office related injury
3) Suggestions how to improve poor ergonomics

Your back supports your upper body while protecting your spine and allowing for flexibility .
•
Four natural: neck , middle back , lower back and tailbone
• Your spine contains 24 vertebrae separated by discs to absorb shock , fluid inside the discs allows movement
• Too much of the wrong movement can cause wear and tear

Back pain is one of the most common causes of lost time at work:
• Low back pain affects 85% of working population
• Over 50% of sufferers find back pain affects their quality of life and limits recreational activities

Using scientific information and techniques to position your body relative to your surroundings to minimize
Physical Stress .

Common causes of back strain at work :
• Lifting heavy/awkward loads
• Long periods of standing
• Long periods of sitting
• Poor posture
• Poorly designed work stations
• Poorly fitted chair
• Computer screens sitting at wrong height or angle

If your job means you’re sitting all day:
• Never cradle the phone between your neck and shoulder
• Avoid sitting with your legs crossed at the knees
• Try to arrange your desk so items are within arms reach
• Centre your computer monitor so the first line of text is eye level
People affected include:
• Office workers
• Teachers

Think Outside the Box
Home offices can also be changed to help your spine:
• Get a good chair
• Sit right
• Check your computer set-up
• Reduce eyestrain
• Stretch

Do:
• Sit close to your work
• Sit on a chair and place feet on floor
• Support your back in an arched position
• Avoid repetitive bending , twisting and reaching
• Use arm rests to reduce stress to the upper body and neck

Don’t:
• “
Slump-sit ” – lower back should be supported
• Lean forward/downward to reach work
• Sit for long periods of timeGET UP
• Sit on the floor
• Cradle the phone in the crook of your neck

Chiropractors use manual therapies to treat neuromusculoskeletal disorders , including :
• Acute and chronic injuries and conditions
• Back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches, chronic pain, osteoarthritis and many more
Chiropractors also assist their patients with: nutrition , exercise programs , lifestyle and work habits

Chiropractic is a regulated health profession
• More than 6,500 chiropractors in Canada
• Each year more than
4 million Canadians visit a chiropractor
Chiropractors are primary health care professionals .

Chiropractors consistently receive among the highest patient satisfaction ratings because patients report:
• Chiropractors listen
• Chiropractors understand their condition
• Treatment was effective

For further information, please contact my clinic or:
Ontario Chiropractic Association
200-20 Victoria St., Toronto, ON., M5C 2N8
Web: www.chiropractic.on.ca
E-mail: oca@chiropractic.on.ca
Phone: 416-860-0070

1-877-327-2273