Unfortunately, these days computer use and lower back pain go hand in hand. With a growing number of employees, students, and recreational computer users spending hours upon hours sitting in front of the PC, back problems are now more than ever a concern. This is especially true for younger individuals who are now exposed to this risk from an early age.

Back pain for many is unavoidable with the American Chiropractic Association reporting around eighty percent of individuals will experience some level of back pain throughout their lifetime. Pain caused by continuous computer use is mostly a concern for individuals working on a PC for prolonged periods of time. However, it is also a concern for younger children who are not paying attention to their posture when spending hours gaming or on their favorite social network.

These are the reasons why it is extremely important for all PC users to make sure they educate themselves on techniques recommended by the experts for avoiding these issues. Most people know the importance of having good posture in order to avoid future problems. However, most of us could use a reminder on what the professionals recommend when sitting for long periods of time.

There are a few rules of thumb that you should always be keeping in mind when it comes to computer use and lower back pain. However, the first thing to do is invest in a good chair. Keep in mind the chair you choose should focus on allowing you to have good posture. Avoid chairs that allow you to sit in a way in which your posture may be compromised.

Spine support is always the most important thing to consider when choosing the right chair. An ergonomic chair will support the natural curves of your spine and not put on unnecessary stress on your muscles. The arm rests and depth of the seat pan can also be variables that will ultimately affect your posture.

It is important to remember that not all chairs will be suitable for all individuals. If you are using a PC utilized by a number people, you may have to have a bring your own chair policy. Likewise, you may have to request a chair that suits your specific needs if supplied an inappropriate or ergonomically-incorrect chair by an employer.

The key to preventing injuries is allowing for proper muscle, ligament, and joint alignment through good posture. Some tips for doing this include keeping your head centered over your shoulders and erect. Your elbows should also be at a 90 degree angle from your body.

While you may be focusing on having a good posture when sitting in front of the PC, it is important to stretch to avoid common computer use and lower back pain problems. Staying in the same position for prolonged periods of time can often remove the elasticity from your tissues. This is why it is necessary to walk stand up and walk around approximately every two hours. However, you may have to do this more often as stress builds in your muscles and you become uncomfortable.