Casino Connection Atlantic City

Vol. 5, No. 6, June 2008

When Work’s A Pain in the Neck

If your job is leaving you stiff and sore, here’s some ergonomically correct advice.

When Work’s A Pain in the Neck

Do you spend hours at work standing behind a table or staring at a screen? Do you head home with an aching back, a headache or a stiff neck?

Chiropractor Jason Towey from Egg Harbor Chiropractic—known to his patients as “Doctor J”—says there are ways for casino workers to alleviate some of the stiffness, strain and fatigue caused by repetitious movements and poor posture.

“It all depends on your job,” he says. “People who stand for long periods behind tables should use their break time to walk around, get the blood circulating and do a few quick stretches. It’s inevitable to put more weight on one leg, but keep shifting, lean against the table occasionally and don’t stay in one position for the whole time.

“Sitters tend to have a lot of joint and muscle imbalance in the neck or back and chronic shoulder problems. If they’re on the phone, I encourage them to get a headset. If they use a computer, adjust the height of the chair, the keyboard and monitor to make sure everything is directly in front to avoid twisting and turning. The computer screen should be slightly below eye level, to minimize neck and eye strain.”

Ergonomic disorders are the fastest growing category of work-related illnesses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The chief complaints of casino workers: low to mid-back pain, headache, and numbness of the hands and feet.

To stay fit as a fiddle on and off the job, Towey offers these tips:

Stretch. “When people are in sustained postures for many hours, the muscles tend to shorten and get a little tighter—the body is compressed and actually grows shorter,” says Towey. “Stretching before and after work for a solid 10 to 15 minutes (and whenever you can in-between) is very helpful.”

Stay hydrated. “The body is approximately 60 percent to 70 percent water, and hydration plays a big role in muscle and joint function. When people say, ‘I’m drinking 10 cups of coffee a day,’ they don’t realize that coffee is a diuretic, so you’re not getting that water.” Heed that old rule about drinking eight glass of water per day. Your body will thank you.

Move it. If you are tied to one station at work, be sure to exercise at home or the gym, and again, drink lots of water. “The more circulation and movement and fluid exchange you have within the muscles, cells and joints, the better off you are,” Towey says. “Your body is meant to move, not sit or stand for hours.”

Get a grip on your emotions. “Many people overlook the fact that emotional stress has a huge impact on the body,” says Towey. “When you have to deal with stressful deadlines or angry patrons, the body stores that tension and doesn’t (easily) dissipate it. Take a deep breath, get up and walk around.” Now doesn’t that feel better?

Jason M. Towey, DC is a chiropractic expert with over 25 years experience. He can be reached at 609.965.5533