Life Rebel Chiropractic
In late 2018, Time Magazine ran a story citing sitting as the new smoking. It referenced research from investigators at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), claiming that one in four Americans sit for more than eight hours a day. The effects can be life threatening; increased risk of heart problems and some cancers.
RISK: Barbers and hairdressers spend long periods of time with arms stretched out in front of them, increasing risk of long term health issues and pain. Photo: Shutterstock.
It's likely Australians are no different. While sitting is, can be a necessary part of our working day, the reality is that it may just cause a range of long term health issues that lead to an inability to work at all.
Dr Tim Shakespeare of Life Rebel Chiropractic says while our spines are simply not built to sit for any length of time, any profession that demands having to be in one position for hours on end can cause pain, headaches and imbalances in our spine that ultimately places stress on our nervous system and trigger pain, or potentially more serious chronic condition.
"If you negatively affect the master control system of the body, bad things can happen in lots of places,"
Hairdressers, barbers, heavy vehicle drivers, accountants, and tradies are some of the professions that he mentions are at risk.
"For hairdressers and barbers it's having their arms stretched out in front of them for hours at a time. Heavy vehicle drivers and say accountants are in a seated position for the majority of the day often resulting in pelvic imbalance and or disc compression.
"While tradies are in varied precarious positions or carrying large awkward objects, in many cases having to balance them while manoeuvring around a work site.
"It is the prolonged loading of the spine in a way that it was not designed for that results in injury, and an inability to perform at optimum.
Dr Tim suggests that anyone suffering with pain should search for the cause of the problem rather than turn to pain killers.
"Masking pain with drugs only makes you numb to the warning signs, and leads to something more catastrophic in the future. You can't fix a twisted chassis by changing the fuel. So, see a professional you trust, that will tell you what you need to hear, not what is convenient.
Masking pain with drugs only makes you numb to the warning signs,
Dr Tim Shakespeare
While it's unrealistic for anyone in a sedentary role to stop working or change career, there are ways to minimise the risk of problems and getting your employer onside could be key.
"Employers who invest in their staff get a healthier workforce, and more productive staff. Get people moving with frequent short breaks away from the prolonged position. Ergonomics are sort of like asking a dog to walk on its hind legs but giving it a pair of nike air max to make it more comfortable doing so. It may slightly prolong the inevitable... slightly.
At home there are other ways to keep your body in tune.
"Stretch. Foam rollers are great. Think movement. Think blood flow. Sleep eight hours. Eat fresh organic food. Move and exercise everyday. Meditate. Get your spine checked just like you brush your teeth. Stop listening to things that don't serve you."
