Although the pandemic is arguably no longer in full swing, one in four Americans with white-collar jobs may continue working from home (WFH) throughout 2021 and beyond, according to an Upwork report. Despite the high number, only 20% of employers are paying employees to set up an ergonomic workplace at home indicated by a study from Owl Labs.
Unless workers are paying hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to create a healthy workstation at home, make-shift desks at kitchen counters, living room sofas, and dining room tables have become the new office. It’s not hard to imagine that this often leads to back and neck pain, making working from home a literal pain in the neck.
Slouching is a major contributor to neck pain. The longer someone sits in an unhealthy position, the more likely it becomes that they will experience neck pain. Here are several other reasons that working from home can cause increased neck pain:
It stands to reason that correcting these conditions can help WFH employees get their neck pain under control. However, if chronic pain continues after making positive changes in the home work environment, it may be time to consult with a doctor who specializes in spinal conditions.
First and foremost, remember that slouching is a major cause of neck and back pain. Here are a few tips to help home office workers avoid chronic neck pain:
For those who still experience chronic or acute neck pain after making positive changes, it may be time to seek the help of a professional. At Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic, our neurosurgeon, Dr. Lewis, is an expert on treatments for back and neck pain. He can make additional recommendations specific to your lifestyle and provide nonsurgical or minimally invasive spine surgery if you have an underlying condition causing the pain.
Make an appointment todayor call (601) 366-1011 for a neck pain consultation. We’ll find a solution that works for you!