Perfect Posture

Here is a quick posture check....are you sitting comfortably at work? The chances are, probably not. For many years we have been advised to sit up straight at our desks. Now here's a thing, for some while the advice has been changed but the news does not seem to be filtering through.

Now we are encouraged to snuggle right back against our chair and then tilt the whole back so that we are reclined to an angle of about 100 - 110 degrees. Arms should be at our sides so that just the hands are at the front of the desk resting on the keyboard which will also be right at the front of the desk.

Check out the HSE.gov.uk ergonomics at work site for info because it works. The whole thing feels quite alien initially and also makes you look rather (excuse the pun) laid back. Changing your seating position may mean changing chair and monitor height soI believe that some office managers may have a bit of an issue with the somewhat relaxed appearance of the posture but it has made a huge difference to many people who come to me with work related neck and back pain. I have a few theories as to why it works, mainly I think it makes it almost impossible to fall into the inevitable slump and tortoise neck which we all adopt because we cannot maintain the bolt upright posture.

By the way, get to know your chair. Don't be frightened of finding out what all of those levers around the seat do. Then you can put it right for you anytime, even if you are hot desking or someone has 'nicked' your favourite chair.