The advent of the computer age has revolutionised the world and especially the office environment. It is a marvelous thing now all the information available to mankind, all the knowledge can be accessed in an instant by pretty much everyone. However this has come at a price. The position we sit in at a computer is one of the most unhealthy and unnatural poses for our posture. This creates tensions and strains to our musculoskeletal system that we have never had deal with before. It is a positioned that we hold for prolonged periods throughout each working day and this exacerbates the problems even further.
This position of sitting in front of the PC, and especially using the mouse causes:
- the head to protrude forward for prolonged periods eliciting severe strain on the cervical vertebrae. Especially at C6 and C7.
- Forward protrusion of the head also causes prolonged and unnatural strain on the cervical erector spinae muscles and the other major muscle groups in the neck region. Muscles such as Scalenes, Sternocliedomastoid, Levator Scapula and Splenius Capitus just to name a few.
- This position also causes the major muscles of the chest, especially Pectoralis Major, to shorten. Along with Serratus Anterior.
- As a result the muscle underneath the shoulder blade (Scapula), Sub Scapularis, usually spasms and locks limiting the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder complex.
- The combined affect of the above is to cause the Scapula on both sides to be pulled forward and away from the midline of the spine. A condition known commonly as ‘Rounded Shoulders’.
- This in turn causes the muscles between the shoulder blades to be constantly stretched all day long on a tensile load. These muscles include Mid Trapezius and Rhomboids. As well running from the shoulder blades to the neck are Splenius Capitus and Levator Scapula. These are also on tensile load and it is mainly Levator Scapula that then triggers nasty headaches.
To remedy this most therapist will opt for a head neck and shoulders massage only. This will not fix the problem.
The muscles on the chest need to be massaged first and foremost. So too does Serratus Anterior and Sub Scapularis muscles. Trigger points will need to be addressed as well.
The muscles on the back need to be massaged in such a way as to coax them to shorten. Not your standard massage technique. This will need to be accompanied by the appropriate stretching and exercise regime to restore balance to the opposing muscle groups. Massage works.
Yours in health
Victor Solomon