The bad affect on health of a desk job

Woofstuff

How do people on here think about the health effects of a desk job,

Some articles:

Having desk job 'doubles risk' of heart attack

Is your desk job bad for your health?

Some studies say that it doesn`t matter if you workout alot, its the long periods of sitting down that`s a killer:

Workouts are no antidote to death by desk job

JJayoo

Can help turn your posture into sh1t.

Sunny Dayz

I have found it certainly affects my shoulders and upper back. I have knots in my right shoulder cos I'm right handed, using the computer mouse, reaching for phone, writing, turning pages etc.

Keep meaning to get those curved mesh support things you put on the back of your chair, anyone know if they are any good? Can't really see myself sitting on an exercise ball or on a treadmill in my suit as one of the articles suggested!

TBH I never really thought of the effects on the heart (other than stress at deadlines) annd diabetes etc.

I do try to walk to work but it's very weather dependent. I am doing C25K at the mo and badminton will be starting back in a few weeks time.

Also, the hazardous paper cuts!

calfmuscle

Its terrible for peoples health!!

You are not designed to be sedentary or sit in one position for a prolonged time.

I see many people with shoulder and neck pain due to sitting at a desk all day. The funny thing is when I give them exercises to do in work they feel embarresed doing them at first, but after a while I ask how they are getting on and they will tell me the whole office is doing them!

kaiserrussel

calfmuscle wrote: »

Its terrible for peoples health!!

You are not designed to be sedentary or sit in one position for a prolonged time.

I see many people with shoulder and neck pain due to sitting at a desk all day. The funny thing is when I give them exercises to do in work they feel embarresed doing them at first, but after a while I ask how they are getting on and they will tell me the whole office is doing them!

Hi calfmuscle, any chance you could share some of these exercises?

calfmuscle

Ha I can't to be giving out medical advice I'm afraid. If you post where you are in the country I'm sure someone can recommend a good therapist in your area.

kaiserrussel

calfmuscle wrote: »

Ha I can't to be giving out medical advice I'm afraid. If you post where you are in the country I'm sure someone can recommend a good therapist in your area.

By PM even?

kippy

To be honest I'd take the health risks associated with a desk job any day over the health risks associated with many forms of manual labour.
At least there are numerous things that can be done to assist in mitigating against some of the risks of a desk job, such as those outlined here, ergonomics, getting up for a walk around every now and again etc etc)

calfmuscle

Sorry it would be irresponsible to give you any advice with out assessing you. If you are in pain go get some treatment from a physio who can give you advice on how to manage it.

cloudatlas

I was starting to slouch so I did body weight exercises to strengthen my back, it worked a treat. Sometimes my hand cramps up from typing. The best thing employers can do for health is throw out the vending machines, one office I worked in there was a vending machine full of junk on every floor no surprise the majority of staff were over weight!