Treating musculoskeletal pain for patients working from home

Working from home means no fighting traffic to get to and from work, no exposure to the latest office bugs and greater schedule flexibility. But this type of setup also has a drawback. Research has connected at-home work with greater musculoskeletal pain, putting DCs in a good position to help patients avoid this effect.

Working from home increases musculoskeletal pain risk

A study published in the journal Work in February 2022 involved university employees working from home. Participants were asked about their at-home work environment, the design of their workstation and their musculoskeletal pain.

Almost two in three (61%) reported an increase in musculoskeletal pain after they started working from home, mainly in the neck, shoulders and lower back. Those with home workstations not optimized ergonomically had the most issues, primarily due to improper chair height and monitor distance.

Creating an ergonomically optimized office

Providing patients with guidance can help reduce their risk of musculoskeletal pain when working from home. Understanding proper ergonomic design is also beneficial for professionals who spend a great deal of time in front of their computers, potentially avoiding musculoskeletal pain themselves.

In terms of seat height, there are two main points to focus on, says George Stern, owner of PhilZen.com, an ergonomic furniture supplier for consumers and professionals. “Your feet should be touching the floor completely,” says Stern, and “forearms should be parallel to the desk.” A chair with an adjustable seat height enables users to set it so it allows for both of these positions.

For the monitor, the ideal distance is 15 to 30 inches from the eyes to the screen, and the top of the monitor should be positioned at eye level. “That’s good ergonomics and good for how you look on your webcam,” Stern says.

Avoid musculoskeletal pain with active furniture

Good health when working from home, or even when spending a lot of time in front of a computer at an office, involves more than just ergonomics. It also consists of finding ways to get more movement into your day, helping undo the effects of sedentary behavior.

Studies have shown people who do a lot of work-related sitting have greater incidences of low-back pain. More computer time is also associated with an increased risk of pain in the neck and shoulders. One way to combat this is with active furniture. Using active furniture can help you avoid musculoskeletal pain.

Unlike stationary office furniture, active furniture encourages movement. Instead of sitting in the same position all day, users move regularly, which research suggests provides physiological benefits, such as increased blood oxygenation levels.

Active furniture options

There are several active furniture options available for chairs and desks that can help improve musculoskeletal pain. One type of active chair is a sway chair. “Sway chairs have become market leaders,” says Stern, “due to their sculpted seat, pelvic stabilizer, slide-preventing design and ultimate motion flexibility.” They encourage both conscious and unconscious movement while in a sitting position.

The Capisco chair is another active chair option. “The saddle seat and overall unique design offer endless ways to sit or half stand,” Stern says, “encouraging you to vary your position and stay energized.”

Individuals can also stay active despite having a desk job by purchasing an adjustable-height desk. “Look for models with smooth and easy height adjustments,” suggests Stern. It’s also important to choose one with sturdy construction.

“Ergonomics is as much about movement and change as it is the right furniture and setup,” says Stern. “You can have the perfect desk and chair, but if you’re sitting for eight hours a day, it’s still not ideal for how our bodies have evolved.”

Final thoughts

As your patients who work from home come to you with their musculoskeletal issues, you can offer advice on modifications they can make to improve their workspaces. A variety of chair and desk options exist that can help your patients combat the effects of prolonged sitting, but the best way to help them deal with those issues is to suggest they find ways to move more during the workday.