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I work for a company that helps people solve problems with their computer software programs. I'm often at a computer terminal for 8 to 10 hours. We can take breaks but we are paid by the number of calls we complete, so I miss breaks, lunch, and dinner some days. I do worry about getting stuck in a flexed position -- or that my back is going to give out. Is there any real danger of either of these things happening?
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Anyone working long hours at a desk job has probably wondered if sitting so much will eventually lead to back pain. It makes sense that there might be some risk with long hours of sitting. This position puts pressure on the pubic bones, increases downward compression through the discs, and increases spinal muscle activity. And many workers seem to experience low back pain that reduces work hours and productivity.
But a recent review of all studies available makes it clear that working in a sitting position for long periods of time is not a risk factor for low back pain. Researchers from Canada scoured the literature of published studies from around the world on this topic. There were articles published from the Netherlands, Iran, Nigeria, Sweden, the USA, Finland, Greece, Belgium, England, China, Germany, and Denmark. Of the 2766 studies initially identified as possible sources of good information, only five were high-quality and therefore included in this review.
But the conclusion of those five studies was consistent: there was no link between occupational sitting and low back pain -- not in nurses, not in construction workers, or anyone else for that matter. In fact, if anything, there was some evidence that sitting protects the back. That makes sense when sitting is compared with occupations that involve activities such as lifting, carrying, twisting, and bending.
Whether or not sitting results in a flexed or bent position of the hips and spine has not been the focus of research. Even if you can't leave your desk area, it might be a good idea to stand up and stretch every 30 to 60 minutes. Give your muscles a break, swing your arms to restore blood flow and oxygen, take a deep breath, then sit back down again. You may even be able to do this while on a call when there is a short period of wait time.
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