Functional medicine is concerned with the underlying causes of the conditions which affect your health—and when it comes to underlying causes the office lifestyle is a big one. If you have an office job, your health is subject to a number of challenges and risks which might not apply in another profession. Here are the health challenges you should watch for, and ways to fight them.

The Effects of an Office Job

1. Back Pain

Sitting in one cramped position for hours and days on end puts pressure on your back muscles and spine, which in turn can create significant back pain. Periodic breaks, stretching, and walks through the office during the day can help, but you may also want to consider getting ergonomic office furniture to decrease the risk. An osteopathic physician can make suggestions tailored to your needs.

2. Poor Posture

In addition to immediate back pain, poor posture during the workday can cause future issues, including long-term effects on how you carry yourself. It’s also been known for over 80 years that slumping decreases circulation. To increase circulation and promote healing, work on sitting straighter during the day and raising your head to avoid hurting your neck.

3. Carpal Tunnel

This painful condition comes from overworking the tendons in your wrist and is common in office jobs. To fight it, work on using the right wrist posture—wrists straight or slightly bent—and perform wrist-strengthening and loosening exercises during the day.

4. Weight Gain

Time spent sitting during the day without exercise, combined with limited break times which encourage convenient but unhealthy food choices, can lead to significant weight gain after securing an office job. To fight these effects, you need to make sure you’re getting enough exercise outside of work hours, and ideally pack a healthy lunch every day.

5. Cardiovascular Disease

Between poor circulation, lack of exercise, and the stress of a high-performance environment, your heart may begin to show the strain. Once again, a good workout when you’re off work will help. You should also work small exercise opportunities into your routine, like parking further from the office and using the stairs instead of the elevator.

Many of the health risks of office life can be reduced or eliminated with help from a physician. If you’re looking for a functional medicine approach to your health or need the services of an orthopedist, IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health in Honolulu, HI, is the practice to choose. Serving all of Oahu, this supportive, integrated practice is dedicated to helping both patients and the community alike. To make an appointment with a functional medicine expert, call (808) 521-8170 or send a message online today.