Today technology has been a great help to many people. It acts as a second brain when it comes to organizing our lives. The alarms and reminders that they provide can release the constant thoughts of many tasks. However, with these advantages comes a price to pay.

Let’s go ahead and look a common scenario. You have decided that you need to do some work at the computer. You need to start the computer, but you don’t want get out of the chair and squat down. You bend forward and twist down enough to reach the switch on the computer tower. This movement puts the discs in the low back at their weakest and most vulnerable point. Think about the stress on the low back if you do that movement often.

Now you open the document and start typing. Most people look at the keyboard when they are typing. That bends your head and neck forward. This is the opposite direction that your neck curve is designed to be in. Then, what I call “the black hole” develops.

I kid you not, after a short time, people actually look like they are being sucked into the computer screen. The head moves forward towards the monitor screen and shoulders begin to slump. For every inch that you head is moving forward, this is 25 pounds of additional stress placed on the spine and neck.

Stress is increasing because now you may be in this position for hours. Most people use computers on a regular basis and this becomes a daily habit. We also can add in the motion of the chair. Since most office chairs have wheels, people don?t actually get out of the chair when they need to get something, they bend and twist.

Your printer might be positioned off to the side. So, you might rotate the chair to the side and reach. This movement can place stress on the low back. If you are going from sitting to standing, you might rotate the chair and step out instead of back out and standing straight up. This scenario might sound familiar to you. There are things that can be done to reduce the stress on your body while at the computer.

Take a good look at your workstation. Your monitor should be eye level and in front of the keyboard. If you can, rotate the position of your printer. Instead of twisting the chair and leaning forward to get out, try backing your chair out from the desk and stand up straight. If you perform this task you can eliminate a lot of stress on your body.

Be observant of your elbow and hand position. It’s best to use a chair with no armrests. This will actually allow you let your shoulders relax, instead of being push up. A good hand rest for your wrists is a great idea. Just make sure that your forearms a parallel with the floor. It is also important that your thighs be parallel with the floor when adjusting the height of the chair.

Remember to stand up and stretch every 30 minutes or so. Just getting out of the chair and stretching or walking around will allow your body extension time. All computer work is bending forward. This is called flexion. By standing, your are extending your body and releasing tension.

I am a Chiropractor in Charlotte, NC. I have found that these tips can reduce much of the stress at work and home while using the computer. A computer is a great tool, but improper usage can cause damage to the body. Follow these tips in this article and hopefully you will enjoy using the computer much more.

About the author: Dr. Robert Simmons is a charlotte chiropractor using applied kinesiology technique. We regularly hold free charlotte chiropractic nutrition lectures and workshops for self improvement.