Slouching at desk 'could cause spinal injury'RSS Feed

Office workers who slouch at their desk could be putting themselves at risk of spinal injury, according to a registered osteopath.

Adam Dallison, inventor of PosturePlast, explained that when you slouch, you stretch the ligaments in the spine, meaning they cannot function correctly.

The ligaments' job is to bind the bones together and limit movement to a degree, he noted. They have a low-energy threshold and are 'maintainers', compared to the muscle which is a 'do-er'.

He explained that slouching requires muscles to take over, which causes fatigue - one of the reasons people ache more the day after slouching.

"Slouching will also stress the discs in the low back, which can then lead to a tear, a herniation, or even worse a prolapse, when the internal fluid seeps out," he said.

Mr Dallison added that most people's first port of call is their GP, who will prescribe gentle movement and pain killers, and refer for NHS physiotherapy if the problem does not improve.

Serious Law, award winning spinal injury law firm

Posted by John Sherrington
 

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