Back to the Office After Summer: How Acupuncture Can Help
Back to the Office After Summer: How Acupuncture Can Help
Summer tends to take us out of our normal routines. We travel, spend more time outside, take vacations, and hopefully slow down a little.
Then fall comes around and suddenly it’s back to commuting, sitting at a desk, spending hours in front of a computer, and juggling a much busier schedule.
For many people, the body feels that transition. Neck and shoulder tension returns, the low back feels stiff, headaches can become more frequent, and stress starts creeping back in.Getting back into a routine is a great time to pay attention to these changes and give your body a little extra support.
Neck and Shoulder Tension at Work
Neck and shoulder pain is one of the most common things I see in my acupuncture practice. Sitting at a computer for hours, looking down at your phone, and carrying a laptop or work bag during your commute can create a lot of tension through the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
You may feel fine when you start your day, but by the afternoon your shoulders are tight, your neck is sore, and you can’t wait to get away from your desk.
Small changes can help. Adjust your computer screen so you’re not constantly looking down, get up throughout the day, stretch, and take short walking breaks whenever possible.
Sitting and Low Back Pain
Long periods of sitting can also contribute to low back pain and stiffness.
After a summer of being more active, returning to hours at a desk can be a big adjustment. Tightness may develop through the low back and hips, especially toward the end of the workday or after a long commute.
Try not to stay in one position for too long. Even standing up for a few minutes, walking around the office, or taking a short walk at lunch can make a difference.
You don’t need perfect posture all day. Your body simply needs movement and changes in position.
Don’t Forget About Stress
Going back to the office isn’t only physically demanding. It can also mean returning to deadlines, meetings, commuting, and a much faster pace.
Stress often shows up physically.
Tight shoulders, jaw tension, headaches, poor sleep, digestive changes, and fatigue can all become more noticeable when life gets busy again.
This is why I always look at the whole picture when treating someone. Your neck pain may be what brought you into the office, but your sleep, stress, activity level, and daily habits are all important too.
How Acupuncture Can Help
Acupuncture for neck pain, shoulder tension, low back pain, and headaches can be a helpful part of getting back into a healthy fall routine.
Every treatment is individualized. Someone experiencing neck and shoulder tension from working at a computer may need a completely different treatment from someone whose low back hurts after sitting or commuting.
Acupuncture can help decrease pain and muscle tension, support relaxation, and help the body recover from the physical and emotional stress of a busy schedule.
It’s also commonly used to support stress and sleep, two things that often become more challenging when our schedules get busy again.
A Few Simple Ways to Feel Better at Work
As you settle back into your routine, remember the basics:
- Get up and move throughout the day.
- Take breaks from your computer and phone.
- Stretch when your neck, shoulders, or back feel tight.
- Pay attention to how you’re carrying your work bag.
- Stay hydrated.
- Get back into a consistent sleep routine.
- Don’t ignore pain that keeps coming back.
You don’t have to completely change your routine. Sometimes a few small adjustments can make a big difference. Fall is a natural time to reset. As you get back to work, commuting, and your regular schedule, remember to make your own health part of that routine too.
If your neck and shoulders are feeling tight, your low back is bothering you, or stress is starting to catch up with you, acupuncture can be a great way to help your body adjust and get you feeling more like yourself again.