Workplace aches and pains

If you work in an office or at a desk, let me guess: you're reading this with your shoulders slightly hunched, neck tilted forward, and probably crossing one leg. You might have a dull ache between your shoulder blades, tightness in your neck, or a lower back that feels stiff after sitting for a few hours.

You've probably thought, "This is just what happens when you work at a desk." And you've accepted it as the price of your career.

But here's the thing: pain is not a normal part of working. And the cost of ignoring it is far higher than you realise.

The Real Cost of "Just Getting On With It"

In the UK, musculoskeletal disorders account for 28.2 million lost working days annually. That's not just a statistic—it's millions of people who pushed through pain until their body makes them stop.

But even before it reaches that crisis point, chronic workplace pain costs you:

Productivity: Research shows that working while in pain reduces your productivity. Every time you stop to take those painkillers, every time you brain isn't on the task but on the pain is stopping you from focusing.

Sleep quality: That neck and shoulder tension you carry all day? It doesn't magically disappear at night. Many patients don't realise their sleep issues are connected to the ache and pains they experience during the day. That I can't get comfy thing at night is connected to the niggles you are experiencing during the day.

Mental health: Chronic pain is exhausting. It affects your mood, increases stress, and reduces your capacity to handle life's challenges. You may notice that you feel more irritable, less patient, or emotionally depleted—often without connecting it to your physical discomfort.

Relationships: When you're in pain, you have less to give to the people around you. You might snap at your partner more, feel too tired to engage with your children, or withdraw from social activities because you just need to rest.

Long-term health: Small problems don't stay small. That stiff neck can become a chronic headache. That lower back niggle starts to cause you to walk bent over. Those tight shoulders become restricted movement. Your body compensates until it can't anymore, and then it will scream.

Why Hybrid Working Makes It Worse

The shift to hybrid working has created a new challenge: inconsistent postural environments. You're splitting time between your office setup (usually reasonably ergonomic) and your home setup ( the kitchen table or sofa), and your body is constantly trying to adapt to different positions and support levels.

Add in the fact that home working often means more hours (no commute = work longer), fewer natural movement breaks (no walking to meeting rooms or to the coffee machine), and more time in video calls (hello, tech neck), and you've created the perfect storm for musculoskeletal issues.

What Actually Helps

Here's how we can make a difference together:

Regular spinal maintenance: McTimoney adjustments help reset your body from the accumulation of every day stress. Most office workers benefit from monthly to six weekly appointments to prevent small issues from becoming chronic problems.

Movement integration:   Short, frequent movement breaks throughout the day. Set a timer for every 45-60 minutes. Stand up, do a few stretches, walk around. Even two minutes makes a difference. We have some desk based stretches available on our You Tube channel and our subscription based service. (See monthly yoga)

Ergonomic awareness: Your setup matters, both at home and in the office. Simple adjustments, screen height, chair position, keyboard placement, this can significantly reduce strain.

Stress management: Physical tension and emotional stress are deeply connected. Breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, and nervous system regulation help reduce the muscle tension that accumulates during stressful workdays.

The 3pm Slump Solution

That afternoon energy dip most of us experience around 3pm? It's not just about needing more coffee. Your body has been in the same position for hours, blood flow has decreased, and you're physically uncomfortable even if you're not consciously aware of it.

Try this instead: stand up, do 30 seconds of movement (arm circles, side bends, gentle twists), take five deep breaths, then return to work. Most people report feeling more alert and focused—without the caffeine crash later.

Prevention vs Crisis Management

Here's the thing, prevention takes less time the crisis management.

A 30-minute appointment every 6 weeks keeps most people moving well and pain-free. Waiting until you can barely turn your neck or your back goes into spasm means weeks of recovery, lost work days, and significant impact on your quality of life.

Your career is important. Your work matters. But neither is worth sacrificing your physical health. You can be successful AND comfortable in your body, these are not mutually exclusive.

If you've been pushing through pain, thinking it will magically disappear or that you're too busy to address it, I encourage you to reconsider

Your body has been sending you messages. It's time to listen.