"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

Calling all desk jockeys: stretching to scale back neck and shoulder pain

Photo: iStock

Fortunately, good ergonomics and regular posture checks might help combat these problems.

Ergonomics for computers, phones and tablets

If you employ a laptop or desktop computer:

  • Choose a chair with good spinal support, or place a pillow on the small of your back.
  • Position the highest of your monitor in order that it's just under eye level.
  • Sit up straight together with your head level, not leaning forward.
  • Keep your shoulders relaxed and elbows near your body.
  • Keep the hands, wrists, arms and thighs parallel to the ground.

If you employ a handheld phone:

  • Avoid holding the phone between your head and shoulder.
  • Consider investing in a snug, hands-free headset. Depending in your needs, you'll be able to select one designed to be used with cordless phones, landlines, or computers.

If you employ an e-reader or tablet:

  • Buy a case that supports you at a snug viewing angle, one which doesn't require you to bend your neck an excessive amount of.
  • Change things up every couple of minutes. “Usually we ask people to change their position every 15 minutes,” says Dr. Jack Denerlein, principal investigator of the pill study and an associate professor of ergonomics and ergonomics on the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. Safety. “Just change your hands, change your weight. Stand or sit.”

No material on this site, no matter date, needs to be used as an alternative choice to direct medical advice out of your doctor or other qualified practitioner.