Sitting too long causes aches and reduces work productivity

PETALING JAYA: Sitting down too long for whatever reason is bad for
you and your employer.

It causes back pain and reduces productivity especially since the
condition is common among office workers of all ages.

Occupational health physician Dr Abed Onn lists low back pain as one
of the three most common work-related ailments, alongside
noise-induced loss of hearing and upper limb muscular disorder.

In the absence of reliable statistics, he based his assesment on cases
he has handled in the course of his work.

Back to the problem: While it is a common perception that low back
pain is more of an ‘old man disease,’ doctors are seeing more cases of
low back pain in fairly young individuals, even those who are in their
early 30s.
Dr Abed said that low back pain, along with similar painful
conditions, was the cause of suffering and reduced productivity.

Dispelling popular belief, he said: “Low back pain is not an old man's
ailment. I am seeing more cases of low back pain in fairly young
individuals, even people in their early 30s.”

According to orthopaedic and spine surgeon Dr Siow Yew Siong, office
workers suffer mostly sprained and strained low backs as well as early
degeneration of the spine due to the sedentary nature of office work.

“Sprains and strains are much more common than actual spinal
diseases,” said Dr Siow. “Poor sitting posture, poor office ergonomics
(designing of equipment to fit the human body), wrong lifting
techniques and prolonged sitting can cause sprains and undue strain to
your back.”

Wearing high heels can also cause the misalignment of the spine, hips,
knees and ankles and result in low back pain, he added.

“Most low back pain can be treated without surgery,” Dr Siow said.

The first line of treatment for low back pain is usually rest,
physiotherapy and medication, he added.

Some stretching exercises can also speed up recovery and help
strengthen back and abdominal muscles.

If these fail, Dr Siow said, pain-relieving injections and, as a last
resort, surgery would be considered.

He added: “Sprains and strains usually abate by themselves with time,
but if patients have spinal diseases without symptoms, we usually
advise them to be vigilant and do back strengthening exercises.”

Like most diseases, prevention is better than cure for low back pain.

In the office, employers should provide ergonomically designed
equipment like adjustable seats and working surfaces, Dr Abed said.

He added that software programmes that remind computer users to take
micro-breaks would also help.


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