From this month's newsletter - Exercise at your desk!

So why does working at a computer cause so much stress to our bodies?

Well, the answer is pretty simple. Humans were not made to sit down for long periods of time, staring at a screen, typing and mousing. We have spent much more of our 2 3/4 million year history hunting on foot and moving from place to place following food sources with the seasons. Remember, the computer has only been a mainstay of our society for a few decades and now we need to "evolve" with technology and take care of the technology in our bodies.

One major pattern that has changed is the amount of time we spend seated at our workstations, on couches and in coffee shops – so much time that our spines are suffering. With all the nerve endings staring there, we can think of our spine as the central processing system for our postural and joint health.

The other important aspect to think about is the micro-trauma caused by computer-related repetitive motion. Micro-trauma refers to the impact on our bodies from everyday activities. It does not occur in a single moment in time, like a cut or a broken bone, but develops over months, or even years before we begin feeling pain, and by the time we start feeling pain it can take just as many months or years to fully recover. Some results of computer related micro-trauma are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, lower back pain, neck pain, tennis elbow and muscle tension headaches.

The good part is we can avoid these injuries all together with just a little preventative maintenance! The 4 videos I have included below offer instruction and 3 follow-along stretch and strengthening routines to do while at your computer. As an added bonus, the additional daily movement will give you extra energy at work and at home by keeping you loose, limber and more properly aligned.

Before you watch the videos, check out this link. You MUST set your workstation and sitting posture up properly before doing the exercises! The workstation/posture setup will be the foundation of your new proactive and preventative workday. There are obviously a lot of points to consider. Just make sure to set up your workstation/posture as close to the recommendations as you are able.

Watch the Desk Exercise Instructions (below) first.



1-Minute Desk Exercises Video
2-Minute Desk Exercises Video
3-Minute Desk Exercises Video