So this is the first of my Top 5 Tips blog posts.  In today’s blog post I am going to give my Top 5 Tips For Keeping Active In The Workplace.  Some of you might be asking why an Osteopath is writing about how to keep active in the workplace.  The reason is because those people who frequent the clinic for the treatment of neck pain, back pain and upper limb pain are generally those who are inactive at work and spend a large portion of their working day sitting and performing repetitive tasks.  When we take a look at why people start to feel musculoskeletal aches and pains, often this comes about from static and/or awkward postures, performing repetitive tasks for long periods of times without breaks and poor postures.

Osteopath Heath Williams Top 5 Tips For Keeping Active In The Workplace

Do not eat lunch at your desk.  At all costs.  Get away from the desk during your lunch break.  Even if it is only for 20 minutes.  Where possible, take yourself away from the office environment and get outside and go for a walk.  Fresh air and getting the body moving can do your brain and body wonders.

Remove the bin from your individual workspace so that you need to get up and walk to a communal office bin to get rid of waste.  Workplaces often try to make things too convenient for workers, with this often being a detriment to their health.

Drink 2 litres of water per day.  Sitting in an office environment where the temperature is regulated through heating and cooling can lead to dehydration.  By regularly drinking water throughout the day, you will be staying hydrated, more alert and productive and more likely to go to the toilet and take a break away from the desk.

Rather than email or call someone internally in the office.  Make an effort to go and speak to them in person.  Not only will 1:1 communication be more effective and personal, it also means you are getting up and away from the seated work area.

Take the stairs or any other opportunity to walk or be active where possible.  This could mean taking a walking meeting rather than sitting down.  It could mean walking to the printer to get copies of documents.  It could mean suggesting to your work colleagues to stand instead of sitting during a meeting.

Osteopath Heath Williams is owner and director of Principle Four Osteopathy and Corporate Work Health Australia.  As an osteopath and work health safety consultant, he often sees the pitfalls of poor posture, prolonged sitting postures and performing repetitive tasks.  Be sure to get up and about and move throughout the day to reduce your risk of developing musculoskeletal strains and sprains such as neck pain, back pain, sciatic and upper limb pain.

Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Osteopathy clinics.  At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete.  We have 3 experienced osteopaths working across both of the clinics.

The Melbourne City CBD clinic is  located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation.

The Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium.  Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation.

To speak to an Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.