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Prevent aches and pains while working from home

Physical therapists from Mary Free Bed offers tips
Posted at 6:16 AM, Apr 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-02 10:36:19-04

GRAND RAPIDS — Living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens are becoming the new office space for employees now working from home.

Physical therapist Carrie Malin, of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, offers some easy ways for people to prevent aches and pains.

Eighty percent of people can expect to have back pain at some point in their lives, with one of the biggest contributors being posture.

Malin advises that people sit in chairs with a firm back instead of their couches, bed or the floor. It's also wise to set a timer for 30 or 60 minutes, that way people can change up their positions from sitting at a table to standing up and using a bookshelf or ironing board to prop up a laptop. No matter what position, Malin recommends always keeping the laptop or monitor at eye level.

Malin also suggests taking advantage of all the free, online fitness videos posted on social media during this stay-home order, or take a few moments to go for a walk around the neighborhood.