Work From Home: 5 Tips and 5 Exercises to Reduce Postural Strain

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Written by: Kaleena Yeung BSc, MScPT, Registered Physiotherapist

So many of us have had to unexpectedly adapt to working from home and may not be properly set up to do so.

Here are some tips to help improve body position and limit muscle strain:

If possible try not to work off a laptop; having your keyboard attached to your screen will cause strain to your neck and shoulders as both your neck and arms cannot be in a comfortable position at the same time. If you have the ability to work using an external monitor or keyboard that is best.
Put one or both feet up on a footrest/book/box/etc.; this will force you to sit back in your chair and help to prevent you from slouching.
Sit with a pillow behind your back; if your seat pan is too deep and you can’t comfortably rest your feet on the floor or footrest, sitting with a pillow behind your back will allow your feet to reach the floor while still having back support.
Sit on a pillow or something soft; if you’re sitting at a kitchen chair this can get uncomfortable quickly. If you can’t sit on a softer chair then make one using pillows or blankets.
If possible, periodically stand to work; use a box or books to raise the level or your keyboard and monitor, or stand at a countertop if able.

Here are 5 exercises that can be done easily at home without any equipment. These can be done to improve posture/strength and to help break up your workday:

Chin tucks

Begin sitting or standing up tall with your shoulders down and resting away from your ears, focus on an object at eye level and gently move your head back to tuck your chin in without looking up or down. You can use your fingers to help guide the movement if needed.

Hold for 5 seconds, relax and repeat 10-15 times; do this 1-2 times per day or as needed.

Thoracic spine extension stretch over chair back

Begin sitting up tall in a chair, you can place a folded towel over top of the chair back for comfort if the chair is too firm, with your fingers clasped behind your neck and your elbows together in front of you, slowly relax backwards over the edge of the chair as far as you can comfortably stretch. Keep your elbows close together and try not to arch your lower back.

Hold for 5 seconds, relax and repeat 10-15 times; do this 1-2 times per day or as needed.

Thoracic spine rotations with deep breathing

Sitting up tall with your hands folded across your chest, slowly twist your trunk to one side stopping if pain is made worse, take a deep breath and exhale rotating farther as able without increasing pain, repeat until you can go no farther or pain is increased. Slowly return to the neutral position and repeat to the other side. Try not to shift your hips to the opposite side when rotating.

Repeat 3-5 times per side; do this 1-2 times per day or as needed

I’s, T’s and Y’s

Lying on your stomach, you can use a rolled towel under your forehead for support, pull your shoulder blades down and away from your ears without lifting your chest from the ground. Then a) with your arms at your sides slowly raise them off the ground, pause and slowly lower; b) with your arms out to the side in a T position and your thumbs pointing up, slowly raise your arms off the ground, pause and slowly lower; c) with your arms overhead in a “superman” position, slowly raise them off the ground, pause and slowly lower.

Repeat 10-15 times or to muscle fatigue, do 2-3 sets at a time; do this 3-4 times per week

Wall slides with lift off

Facing the wall, stand up tall pulling your shoulder blades down and away from your ears, place both hands on the wall resting the pinky side of your hand on the wall, slowly slide your hands along the wall up and to the outside creating a 45 degree angle, once your elbows are fully extended lift your arms off the wall, pause and slowly lower your arms off the wall using your shoulder blades to help pull your arms down creating a ‘W’.

Repeat 10-15 times or to muscle fatigue, do 2-3 sets at a time; do this 3-4 times per week

Remember to take regular breaks from looking at your computer screen if able; your head, eyes and body will appreciate it!

Kaleena Yeung BSc, MScPT
Registered Physiotherapist

Kaleena joined GRSM in June 2013. She graduated with her Master of Science degree in Physiotherapy from Queen’s University in 2008. Prior to that she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with the Health Professions option at the University of Waterloo in 2006. Since graduating Kaleena has worked in a multi-disciplinary clinic environment treating various patient populations and injuries.

Kaleena has completed her Kinesio Taping training and is a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner. She is continuing her post-graduate education and certification focusing on manual therapy and acupuncture.

Kaleena grew up in Kitchener-Waterloo and continues to stay involved in the community through coaching minor boys and girls hockey. She is an avid sports fan and keeps active by playing hockey, soccer and volleyball recreationally.

Virtual Appointments at GRSM

As social distancing continues in response to COVID-19, we feel it is important to provide ways to continue care for our existing patients and to provide opportunities to start treatment for new patients.

Although we cannot open our physical doors, continued treatment and new assessments are available through virtual rehabilitation. This form of treatment may be very new to some, but others in our field have been practicing virtual rehabilitation for years in remote areas, in pelvic health and with clients who have trouble travelling to a clinic. Virtual assessment and treatment is completed in the comfort of your own home with flexibility in timing, either face to face on a secure platform or over the phone.

Due to the importance of providing continued care during these unprecedented times, most insurance companies now provide coverage for virtual rehabilitation. We do however encourage everyone to confirm this with their insurance provider.

If you are still not sure if virtual rehab is right for you, email us at virtual@grsm.ca. One of our registered physiotherapists will connect with you to discuss your personal rehab needs.

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