Desk Yoga Can Help Prevent and Relieve Back, Neck, and Leg Pain

Are you the type of person who spends hours on end every day seated at a desk? Is this beginning to take a toll on your body, more specifically your back, neck, and legs?

If pain has set in and you’re seeking a solution, it’s time to get on board with the “desk yoga” trend.

This is exactly what it sounds like: you perform yoga exercises while you’re sitting at your desk.

Here are three basic exercises to get you started:

•    Forward bend: Move to the front edge of your chair, place your feet a bit wider than your hips, and lean forward. While doing so, rest your forearms on your knees. Depending on your flexibility, you can continue down by placing your shoulders between your knees. This increases blood flow to your brain, while also stretching your back.
•    Seated spinal twist: When back tension builds, you’ll do anything for relief. Put your feet on the floor, cross your right leg over top of your left, and let out as much air as you can. Now, twist your stomach toward your right leg. Hold for 30 seconds and then turn to the other side. 
•    Shoulder stretch: Sit upright, push down into your chair, and raise your arms toward the ceiling. When doing so, relax your shoulders and attempt to keep your palms facing each other.

You don’t need a lot of time in your work schedule to complete one or more of these desk yoga exercises throughout the day. A few minutes here and there is enough to get started.

Virginia Spine Specialists is an award-winning, minimally invasive spinal care practice with locations in Fredericksburg, VA and Manassas, VA. We also serve these Northern and Central Virginia locations: Haymarket, Gainesville, Culpepper, Front Royal, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Colonial Beach, Tappahannock and Lake Anna.