The COVID-19 outbreak has affected our lives in so many ways. From wearing face masks every day to social distancing and working from home, these new normal and behavioral changes have settled quite well. Sadly, while curtailing the spread of the virus, this new normal invited some unexpected challenges, with orthopedic conditions on top of the list.
In this post, we outline how COVID has impacted our back, neck, and muscle problems. We also discuss how to treat or avoid developing an orthopedic condition from lifestyle changes we acquired during the pandemic.
The effect of pandemic-related changes on the neck, back, and muscles
The conditions causing neck, back, and muscle pain – including stress, tension, lumbar muscle strain, spinal arthritis, and disc herniations – haven’t changed because of the pandemic. However, what changed are people’s daily habits and lifestyles – caused by the pandemic. Below are some of the lifestyle and behavioral changes caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and how they affected our neck, back, and muscles.
Working at home
The pandemic and social distancing have altered the working patterns of most organizations. To reduce the spread of the virus, people had to ditch going to work and start working from home. With more and more people hopping on the WFH trend, it’s obvious the trend is not coming to an end soon, even after the pandemic.
However, the WFH trend led to a significant increase in back and neck pain incidences being reported. A PMC Labs study found that 7.8 % of people working from home complained of shoulder pain, 23.5% had neck pain, and 41.2% complained of lower back pain. These could be due to poor posture, changes in sitting position, prolonged working and sitting hours, and lack of ergonomic set-up.
Sitting down for long hours
Due to social distancing and stay-at-home orders, more people are now used to sitting in front of the screen for relaxation, connecting with loved ones, and work-related purposes. Because of increased screen time and sitting for an extended period, more people record physical issues like back and neck pain, headaches, increased stress levels, and vision-related problems.
Less walking and movement
The closure of playgrounds, gyms, and jogging tracks and the addition of stay-at-home orders have led to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle resulting in a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. According to a study published in BMC Public Health, the reduced movement and physical activity exacerbated by the pandemic has increased depression and anxiety levels.
Change in sleeping habits
The changes in exercise and mealtime during the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant disturbances in sleeping habits. Most of the WFH population often skipped breakfast, dressing up, bathing, or washing their faces which made them feel sleepy and sluggish while working. Besides, most WFH populations have extended working hours which overlap with their sleeping schedules and disturb their sleeping routines.
Sleep deprivation can worsen pain symptoms or lead to serious medical conditions like diabetes, coronary heart disease, and obesity.
Desk jockey syndrome
Coined by Dr. Cooper, the “Desk jockey syndrome” is another pandemic-related orthopedic condition caused by sitting in front of a computer for extended hours. This syndrome is best described as a postural problem developed as your body adapts and locks itself in the desk sitting position you put it in the longest.
This awful posture can set you up for many issues, including:
- Upper, mid, and lower back pain
- Hip pain
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Wrist and elbow pain
- Shoulder pain
- Knee pain
Poor nutrition
Skipping breakfast, excessive snacking, and overfeeding are some of the problems associated with irregular WFH hours. These changes in feeding habits can contribute to stress or tiredness, exacerbate pain, and increase the risk of developing serious health issues.
Preventing and treating pandemic-related neck, back, and muscle pain
Here are some things you can do to prevent or treat pain caused by pandemic-related lifestyle changes.
Exercise and move more
Make exercise a part of your day, whether you dance, stretch, hike, bike, run, or walk. Regular exercise can help improve your flexibility, prevent stiffness, minimize or avoid most neck and back pain, and enhance your recovery from injuries.
Improve your home workstation
Spending hours in the wrong position can harm your muscles and joints. Set up a proper workstation or improve its ergonomic set-up and make sure you switch up your posture often to avoid the desk jockey syndrome.
Focus on de-stressing
Orthopedic conditions can be linked to tension, stress, and other non-physical issues. Massage therapy and mindfulness practices like yoga or meditation will help you relax, improve your mental health, and help you relieve or better manage your pain.
Eat healthily
Obesity is a contributor to back pain. To avoid back pain and prevent muscle fatigue, you need to eat healthily and stay physically active to maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI). Eating healthily also provides the nutrients and vitamins required to reduce pain and aid in faster injury recovery.
Go for a chiropractic treatment
Seeing a professional chiropractor can help improve your overall physical function and emotional wellbeing. Whether or not your condition is pandemic-related, a professional chiropractic adjustment can correct your body’s alignment, relieve pain, reduce blood pressure, and treat conditions affecting your musculoskeletal and nervous systems. What’s more, chiropractic care is safer and cheaper than other pain management methods as it does not require medication or complicated procedures.
Best chiropractic care in Indian Land, SC
If you’re looking for the best chiropractic care in Indiana Land and Fort Mill, SC, you just found it! At Carolina Chiropractic & Wellness, we offer various chiropractic services to relieve stress, pain, and headaches and correct the postural issues you’ve picked up during the pandemic. We can also customize your treatment plan with exercise routines, nutritional guidance, and specific techniques to help relieve stress and other conditions.
Schedule your appointment today, or contact us to find out why you need chiropractic care and how we can be of help to you.
