Back Pain Relief

Video transcript

Don’t ignore the pain

Statistics show that back pain is on the increase and is the third most common reason to visit a doctor.

  • 80% of adults are estimated to experience back pain in their lifetime.
  • 54% who experience lower back pain spend the majority of their time sitting.
  • 90% of back injuries are resolved in six weeks.
  • 60-80% have a recurrence within 2 years.
  • 7% develop chronic back pain.

In South Africa and around the world, an ergonomic office chair and workplace setup will result in:

  • Greater quality of life and overall improved wellbeing.
  • Improved productivity.
  • Lower absenteeism.

Your health comes first at the Wellback Shop

If you live in South Africa and are experiencing pain in your back, shoulders and neck, an ergonomic assessment and the selection of the correct office chair can make a huge difference to your recovery and long-term wellbeing.

Contact us today for an ergonomic assessment.

Ergonomic Seating: A Key to Back Pain Relief and Prevention

At Wellback Shop, our core mission revolves around enhancing workplace ergonomics and providing back pain relief. Whether you’re working from home or in an office setting, we’re committed to addressing your unique back-related concerns and tailoring solutions to suit your needs. We prioritise your wellbeing and adopt a ‘no-pressure’ approach.

When you visit our showroom, you’ll be welcomed by an Office Ergonomics Risk Facilitator. They’ll conduct a thorough assessment of your posture and offer expert guidance on selecting the right ergonomic chair, height adjustable standing desk and other ergonomic accessories to provide relief from back, neck, and shoulder pain.

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Back Pain Relief – Introduction

back pain relief from sitting on an ergonomic chairBack pain is a pervasive issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide, leading to decreased productivity, increased healthcare costs, and a diminished quality of life. It is estimated that 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives.  Fortunately, there are numerous strategies and treatments available to prevent back pain and provide relief.

 

With the rise of desk jobs, digital entertainment, and modern conveniences, the average person now spends a significant portion of their day sitting. The World Health Organisation recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Unfortunately, many people fall short of this guideline due to prolonged sitting.

 

Excessive sitting contributes to a sedentary lifestyle, which has been linked to a host of health problems, including obesity, cardiovascular issues, and decreased flexibility. Sedentary behavior also tightens the hip flexors, leading to discomfort and back pain. One often overlooked but incredibly effective strategy for both alleviating and preventing back pain is ergonomic seating. In this guide, we will delve into the importance of ergonomic seating in the context of back pain relief, explore key principles, and provide tips for selecting the right ergonomic chair and maintaining proper posture.

1. Types of Back Pain

Prolonged sitting can have a profound impact on our bodies. It places excessive pressure on the spine, causing the natural curvature of the lower back to flatten. This, in turn, can lead to muscle imbalances, as the core muscles weaken while the back muscles become overused. The result? Increased risk of various types of back pain and poor overall posture.

While there are variations, in general there are 2 types of back pain, namely acute and chronic. Symptoms differ between acute or chronic back pain; the latter typically manifests itself through stiffness and immobility.

  • Acute Back Pain is a sudden onset of pain, often caused by overuse, unaccustomed activity, excessive lifting, or an accident. In most cases the best move is to wait and see if the pain resolves on its own. If the pain does not improve after three to four days, then it’s time to see a doctor. Home remedies such as rest and hot-cold compresses, and over-the-counter medication can ease the pain. Typically, relief from acute back pain takes less than 6 weeks.
  • Chronic Back Pain on the other hand, is a persistent pain lasting for more than three months.

2. Common Causes of Back Pain

causes of upper and lower back pain and reliefa. Poor Posture

Slouching or sitting improperly for extended periods is one of the main causes of back pain among sedentary workers. Creating an ergonomic work station can provide relief from back pain.

b. Muscle Strain

Overexertion or lifting heavy objects improperly is a common cause of lower back pain.

c. Herniated discs

Herniated Discs between vertebrae bulge or rupture, pressing on nerves.

d. Arthritis

The gradual thinning of the cartilage inside the spine causes inflammation and pain.

e. Sciatica

Irritation of the sciatic nerve, causing pain down the leg.

f. Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to pressure on the nerves.

3. Prevention and Relief of Back Pain

a. Improve your posture.

Poor posture often results from working at a desk using an incorrect or poorly adjusted chair, slouching on a couch while watching TV, or looking down at a smartphone. Poor posture could also be due to many hours spent carrying heavy objects. Even if your posture has been a problem for many years, it’s possible to make improvements, specifically with your seated posture. How to correctly adjust the height of your office chair, desk and monitor.

b. Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of designing products and environments to maximise human wellbeing and performance.

Understanding Ergonomics in the workplace and the impact it can have on back pain relief is essential for every worker, irrespective of whether you are working at a desk, laboratory, treating a patient, or in a factory. 

c. Exercise regularly

Strengthening core and back muscles has a profound impact on the health of your back. Strong, flexible muscles are less prone to injury and can also help the healing process for an aching back. The best exercises for back pain relief incorporate flexibility and balance and should be low-impact like swimming, walking, or yoga.

d. Maintain a healthy body weight

Excess weight places additional stress on the spine, so it is important to maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity.

e. Lift heavy objects properly

Bend your knees, not your back, when lifting objects. Ensure that you hold the object close to your body and avoid twisting while lifting.

4. The Link Between Seating and Back Pain

Our modern lifestyles increasingly revolve around desk jobs, leading to prolonged periods of sitting. Poorly designed seating can contribute to the development and exacerbation of back pain. Most people spend 10 hours or more per day sitting, and unfortunately, our bodies are not designed to sit. What actually happens when you sit? Sitting is a static posture causes increased stress in the back, neck, arms and legs, which can result in back pain – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

Ergonomic seating aims to minimise the negative impact of sitting on the body, particularly the back. What is an ergonomic chair?

a. Choosing the right ergonomic chair for back pain relief

an ergonomic chair provides back pain reliefProper ergonomic seating helps distribute body weight evenly, reducing stress on the spine. An ergonomic chair will ensure that the natural curve of the lumbar spine is supported, reducing the risk of back strain and pain, while also providing relief.

      • Try before you buy.

We are all different and when it comes to ergonomic chairs, there is no, and never will be, a “one size fits all”. Visit our showroom for an Ergonomic Assessment and test different chairs for comfort and adjustability, as it is crucial to consider your specific needs, such as the duration of use and your body size.

b. Research

Read reviews and consult experts to identify chairs that suit your body shape and the type of work you do. Consider those chairs and suppliers that have a proven record of providing back pain relief.

c. Budget 

Ergonomic chairs can range in price from affordable to high-end, so consider your needs and balance your budget with the chair’s features and durability.

Conclusion

Ergonomic seating is a potent tool for back pain relief and prevention, seamlessly integrating into our daily lives, especially for those with sedentary jobs. Understanding the fundamental principles of ergonomic seating, choosing the right chair, and adhering to proper posture guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of back pain and enhance overall wellbeing. Investing in an ergonomic chair is an investment in your health, productivity, and long-term comfort. Prioritise your spinal health, and you’ll be well on your way to a life free from the burden of back pain.

Workplace Ergonomics and Back Pain Relief

Because you are unique, you demand an ergonomic chair that is tailored to YOUR specific needs which is why we offer a no-obligation workplace assessment. Visit our showroom and one of our Office Ergonomics Risk Facilitators will assist you in selecting the correct chair and desk for your home or work office. 

Our range of chairs, height adjustable desks and accessories are ergonomically designed to improve the health of YOUR back. Protect your back when working from home (Discovery Health). If you live in South Africa and you are looking to improve your seated health and wellbeing, we have the product for YOU! 

The Wellback Shop is a division of Karo Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd. Since our establishment in 1986, our central mission has been focused on improving workplace ergonomics and enhancing the wellbeing of individuals, whether at work or play.

ergonomic study chair with headrest for better back pain relief

Knowledge Centre

Our Knowledge Center contains a wealth of informative articles on:

  • causes of back pain
  • back pain management
  • exercises for back pain
  • lifestyle changes for back pain
  • tips for a healthy back and
  • preventing back pain.

Back pain relief – how to correctly setup your workstation

Watch the video!

Maintaining a healthy posture is crucial for preventing and relieving lower back, neck, and shoulder pain. In this video we will provide some tips to help you achieve and maintain a seated good posture at your workstation.

This video shows you how to correctly adjust your chair, desk, monitor and workstation accessories. 

What is an ERGONOMIC chair?

An ergonomic office chair is designed to provide optimal comfort and support for people who spend extended periods of time working at a desk or computer. These chairs are built with the goal of promoting good posture, reducing discomfort, and providing relief against musculoskeletal problems such as back pain and repetitive strain injuries in the workplace. 

Ergonomic chairs help prevent back problems caused by sitting for long periods.

If you have a non-chronic back, neck or shoulder problem and you spend the majority of your day in a seated position, you should be sitting on an ergonomic chair.

Height Adjustable Desks & Ergonomic Accessories provide relief from back, neck and shoulder pain

Sitting for most of the day can take a toll on your mental and physical health. Having the right chair plays a huge role in improving your posture and reducing the incidence of back, neck and shoulder pain, but the chair is only part of the solution. Ergonomics in the workplace requires a holistic approach that must include your desk and monitor setup. Because our bodies are all different, the final “piece of the jigsaw” is including an adjustable desk that allows you to alternate between sitting and standing while you work. The pros & cons of a standing desk

Height Adjustable Standing Desks

A height adjustable desk can improve your posture and reduce the negative effects of sitting all day.

Alternating between sitting and standing while you work can help your posture and reduce fatigue. The longer you stay seated, the more likely you are to let posture slide, leading to episodes of back and neck pain. Standing up engages your back, core and leg muscles and improves your posture. 

Ergonomic Accessories

Because we are all different, simple ergonomic accessories can mitigate the negative effects of sitting all day. 

Ergonomic accessories like footrests, Microdesk document holders and monitor stands not only improve comfort, but can reduce neck and shoulder strain and help prevent Repetitive Strain Injuries.

ergonomics in the workplace - wellback team

Our People

Whether you work from home or the office, our highly trained Office Ergonomics Risk Facilitators will help you find a workplace solution that is right for YOU.

Delivering Relief from Back Pain. Your wellbeing is our priority.