Do You Have Office Syndrome?

If you work in an office environment for prolonged periods during the day, you may have office syndrome. Office syndrome also affects people that work in a production line due to the stationary position and repetitive movements. The International Classification of Diseases attributes over 150 different musculoskeletal diseases to office syndrome.  These diseases affect the body’s muscles, bones, joints, tissues, ligaments, and tendons.

Office syndrome is caused when you misuse your muscles and practice improper posture techniques without sufficient movement in your working environment. It is usually found in office workers who spend many hours in front of a computer.

Symptoms of Office Syndrome

You may be experiencing office syndrome if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Headaches due to straining your eyes or staring at a computer for prolonged periods
• Shoulder and back pain from shoulders hunched over
• Numb fingers and arms from poor posture causing a lack of blood flow
• Weak eyesight or dry eyes from straining your eyes

Prevention of Office Syndrome

Recent studies have found people are more productive when they get up from their stationary desks and take a break in between working hours. When you take a break, like a walk around the building, you will find yourself more productive and allow your muscles and eyes to rest. Here are a few steps to prevent getting office syndrome.

1. Make sure your desk, chair, and computer are setup ergonomically to maximize correct posture and positioning.
2. Take a break or change your posture at least every 2 hours to allow your muscles to relax.
3. Stretch your muscles during your workday to maintain flexibility.
4. Avoid tasks that require repetitive movements or contractions of your muscles.
5. Manage your overall stress levels and create a relaxing work environment.

Treatment of Office Syndrome

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, such as neck or back pain, you should first assess your physical workspace to find the root cause of the issues and try fixing them. You can also try the following natural pain relief treatments to relieve yourself of office syndrome.

• See a chiropractor for maintenance adjustments. You can read more about the benefits of maintenance adjustments in our post here–> Should I Go to the Chiropractic When I’m Not in Pain? 
• Ask your chiropractor or a medical person on staff at your office to assess your workstation and ask them how you can create an ergonomically-friendly workspace.
• Massages are great for relieving muscle tension and increasing lymphatic flow, which are imperative when you have an office job.
• Stretch, stretch, stretch! Get up from your workstation a few times during your workday to move and stretch. You can use the stretches shared in this post to practice throughout your day.
• Practice yoga a few times a week to increase flexibility and rest your muscles.
• Acupuncture- a few sessions can help you treat targeted areas that may be experiencing pain.
• Taking CBD oil at night can help relax your muscles if you’re experiencing tension in your neck or back from Office Syndrome. CBD oil will help your muscles recover. You can read more about CBD oil benefits in our post here–> Everything You Need to Know About CBD Oil Benefits.
• Remind yourself to blink every few seconds to eliminate dry and strained eyes. You can also install a high-quality anti-glare screen protector to reduce eye strain.

Do you have or have you experienced office syndrome? Let us know in the comments below and try out the tips we shared here to help relieve your tension or pain.

Additional Sources:

Office syndrome – BNH Spine. https://www.bnhhospital.com/spine/office-syndrome/

5 Simple Stretches to Relieve You from Office Syndrome. http://www.ywellnessbkk.com/5-simple-stretches-to-relive-you-from-office-syndrome/