How to avoid neck, shoulder and back pain while working from home

Working from home takes some adjustment. Some parts of it are enjoyable; other parts like aches and pain from a poorly set-up workspace not so much. As the saying goes, prevention is better than a cure, which is why setting your workspace up properly is important.

Here Dr Kianoush Missaghi, neuroscientist and training specialist for Freeletics, and Darren Doak, personal trainer and national field manager for The Training Room, explain how you can ensure your workspace is ready to go.

Supporting your body

"It's all about trying to adapt your environment as much as possible to support your body's more natural and relaxed position," Missaghi says.

The top of the screen needs to be level with your eyes - if possible the screen would be adjustable to a comfortable position. The keyboard should be in front of you with enough room for your wrists to rest when you're not using it and you should be able to use the mouse without reaching for it, Doak explains.

"When setting up a desk to ensure it isn't causing pain or damage to your muscles, establish whether there is adequate work surface to allow a flexible arrangement for the screen, keyboard and mouse operation. Also, make sure there is adequate knee room to maintain a comfortable position," he adds.

"Some people may consider using a gym ball instead of a chair as this can be used to improve core stability muscles and posture. This can be used to good effect as long as the ball height is correct and allows the upper legs to be parallel to the floor."

Missaghi recommends using a chair that properly supports your lower back, which may mean investing in a new office chair.

DIY yourself a standing desk

If you're someone who has a standing desk at work, you're probably struggling to adjust to the constant sitting while working from home.

Standing desks are an excellent way to help maintain good posture as we're less likely to slouch at them like we would if we were sitting.

You can make a standing desk in your own home simply by using books or other objects to lift the height of your screen.

"To utilise a DIY standing desk, the above protocols should be considered with a gradual introduction until it becomes more manageable. Think about the height of your screen and accessibility of the mouse, for example, as your muscles will take time to adjust to unfamiliar posture changes," Doak says.

"Space, accessibility and comfort are paramount in these new environments. Taking regular breaks and moving about are very important too, as are stretching sore and tired muscles.

"There are common muscles that are affected, such as the rhomboid and trapezius muscles as well as the hamstrings and quadratus lumborum. Online yoga and Pilates sessions are easily accessible, and a daily regimen of whole-body stretching can be very effective at alleviating the additional loads and stressors that come with working in makeshift spaces.

"Adequate light and access to fresh air are also shown to be highly beneficial."

Patient picks for Back pain

Bones, joints and muscles

When to worry about back pain

Four in five of us have back pain at some point, most commonly in our lower backs (lumbar area) or our necks. Even if the pain is severe, there's a 90% chance it'll be gone, or be much better, within six weeks. Most pain settles within a week. In 95% of cases there's no serious underlying cause - but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt!

by Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE, FRCGP

Bones, joints and muscles

Thoracic back pain

Thoracic back pain is pain that occurs in the thoracic spine. The thoracic spine is located at the back of the chest (the thorax), mostly between the shoulder blades. It extends from the bottom of the neck to the start of the lumbar spine, roughly at the level of the waist.

by Dr Pippa Vincent, MRCGP

Avoid the couch

It's very tempting to sit in your pyjamas on the sofa while you work - after all, who is going to know? But it's very important that you work in a space that's set up to put you in the best position to work, and the sofa just isn't up to the task.

"Getting up, dressed and prepared for the day is highly recommended to maintain your normal routine as much as possible," Doak says.

"Stay away from couches and bed areas to ensure you can disconnect your home life from working life.

"I also find that if you're able to, you should be in an upstairs setting. So when you do have to leave the workspace for food and water or even just to answer the door (social distancing taken into account), you have a set of stairs to negotiate, helping with blood flow to those muscles that have been sitting idle.

"Try to keep distractions to a minimum. However, having the TV or radio on for some staves off feelings of loneliness, especially if you're used to a bustling office environment."