Stiff Neck-Back `Office Pain`

Individuals, who spent long hours working on computer, may suffer from pain around the neck and back.

In order to prevent such `office pain`, correct posture is needed first.

The computer screen should be lowered to the equal eye-level or even below, in order to prevent neck pain. The keyboard also needs to be on the same height as elbows or lower, and it is recommended to use wrist-support. Also, it is helpful to work in a stable elbow position on armrests of chair.

Appropriate chair is needed to prevent lumbago. Good chair is the one that supports the back, that is slanted slightly backward, and that has back-support device. The appropriate chair height is when it is on the equal with knees or little below so that feet are on the ground comfortably. Hips should be pulled deep into chair so that the back-support device may naturally support the back.

Professor Han Tae-Ryun, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University.

Information provided by medical education site, Virtual MD (www.virtualmd.co.kr)