Working seated in one place in front of a computer for a long time has become an important risk factor giving rise to aches and pains and to a feeling of bodily discomfort among the group of those who work in an office. If these symptoms do not receive suitable treatment, they may develop into chronic symptoms that affect the quality of life and work. Treatment with physiotherapy has therefore become an effective choice in putting right the problem of office syndrome lastingly.
Getting to know 'Office Syndrome', the most popular disease of working people
Office syndrome is a group of conditions met often at the present time, particularly among the group of working people who have to spend most of the day in front of a computer screen. This condition is not a disease that arises over a short period, but is the accumulated result of unsuitable behaviour in living daily life.
The symptoms of office syndrome met often are pain in the neck, the upper back, and the shoulders from sitting working for a long time or using the muscles repeatedly; headache from the muscles and migraine; pain around the eye socket, the brow, and the temple; as well as the symptom of locked finger from using the hand and the fingers continuously. Besides this there is also chronic pain in the hip and the leg from the muscles of the hip being tight and the nerve being compressed.
The main causes of office syndrome come from keeping the same posture for a long time, an unsuitable design of the working space, stress from work, and insufficient exercise, so that some muscles have to work too hard while other muscles become weaker, giving rise to an imbalance of the body that leads to symptoms of pain and inflammation.
Why must office syndrome be treated with "physiotherapy"?
Physiotherapy is a method of treatment that uses the principles of modern medical science in treating pain and problems of the muscles. Unlike the use of painkillers, which is treatment of the symptoms only, physiotherapy is directed at putting right the true cause of the problem, so that the result of the treatment is lasting and the chance of recurrence is reduced.
Treating office syndrome with physiotherapy is very important because it can give treatment covering every dimension of the problem, not only relieving the pain but also helping restore the working of the muscles and the joints, improving posture and movement, as well as preventing problems from arising in the future.
How does physiotherapy help put right the problem at the root cause?
The physiotherapist will begin with assessing and analysing the patient's problem in detail, in order to find the true cause of the pain, which may not always be the area that hurts. For example, headache may have its cause in tight muscles of the neck, or back pain may arise from weak muscles of the hip.
The process of physiotherapy will use various techniques of therapy, such as Western needling (Dry Needling) in order to release the tender points in the muscles; the use of focused shock waves (Focused Shockwave) in order to stimulate the restoration of the tissue; or even treatment with high-power laser light (High Power Laser) in order to stimulate the repair of the tissue and reduce inflammation; and stimulation with electromagnetic waves (PMS) in order to increase the effectiveness of the working of the muscles and the nerves.
The advantages of doing physiotherapy compared with other methods of treatment
Doing physiotherapy has several advantages when compared with other methods of treatment. The important advantage is that it is a treatment that does not have to rely on medicine, reducing the risk from the side effects of long-term painkillers. Treatment with physiotherapy is also a treatment that does not require surgery, is safe, and one can return to normal activities at once.
Besides this, physiotherapy also gives the patient knowledge and techniques for caring for themselves, so that they can prevent the problem from recurring in the future effectively. The result of the treatment is more lasting than the use of painkillers alone, because the problem has been put right at the root cause.
Revealing the steps of doing physiotherapy for office syndrome
Treating office syndrome with physiotherapy is a process with clear and systematic steps, from assessing the symptoms through to giving advice on caring for oneself after the treatment. A specialist clinic will use modern technology and instruments together with a team of expert physicians, so that the patient receives care that is comprehensive and suited to the condition of the problem of each individual.
Assessment of the body and diagnosis by the physiotherapist
The first step is assessing the symptoms and the history of the patient in detail, as well as a physical examination covering assessment of posture, the strength of the muscles, the flexibility of the joints, and testing the working of the nervous system.
Treatment with physiotherapy instruments
After the diagnosis, the physiotherapist will choose to use the treatment technology suited to the problem of each individual patient. With modern medical instruments, the problem can be reached and treated at the root cause precisely, whether stimulating the repair of the tissue, reducing the inflammation, increasing the effectiveness of the working of the muscles and the nerves, or releasing the tightness of the muscles that is the cause of the pain. Treatment with these technologies helps the patient feel better quickly and effectively, while also reducing the risk of recurrence.
Exercise postures and the preliminary ways of preventing office syndrome by yourself
Preventing office syndrome does not require special equipment or a great deal of time. Just small changes of behaviour in daily life. Understanding correct posture, stretching the muscles, and arranging the working environment suitably are all important foundations in caring for health and preventing office syndrome from arising effectively.
5 easy muscle-stretching postures that can be done at the work desk
- The posture of stretching the neck and the shoulders - tilt the head to one side then use the hand to press lightly on the head, hold for 15-30 seconds, then change sides. It helps stretch the muscles at the side of the neck and reduce the tightness.
- The posture of rotating the shoulders - raise the shoulders then rotate them backwards in a circle, doing 10-15 turns, after which change the direction of the rotation. It helps release the tightness of the muscles around the shoulders and reduce the pain in the upper back.
- The posture of stretching the back - sit upright then cross the hands behind the back, lift the chest and pull the shoulders back, hold for 15-30 seconds. It helps open the muscles of the chest and put right the posture of a curved back.
- The posture of stretching the wrist and the fingers - extend the arm straight then bend the wrist down, use the other hand to pull the fingers towards the body, hold for 15-30 seconds, then change sides. It helps prevent the symptom of locked finger and pain in the wrist.
- The posture of stretching the hip - get up and stand, then step one leg back, leaning the body forwards slightly, hold for 15-30 seconds, then change sides. It helps stretch the muscles of the hip that are tight from sitting for a long time.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many treatments must be had for a result to be seen?
The length of time of the treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and the length of time they have been there. In general patients will begin to feel better from the very first treatment. For acute symptoms it takes 3-5 treatments, while chronic symptoms may take 5-10 treatments. The treatment is usually done as a course, so that the treatment is continuous and the result is seen clearly.
Is doing physiotherapy painful?
The feeling during the treatment depends on the kind of treatment used. For the most part patients will feel only a comfortable warmth or slight bodily discomfort. Most treatments are not painful and have no side effects. After the treatment the patient will feel the pain reduce at once.
Can insurance entitlements or welfare be claimed?
Treating office syndrome with physiotherapy can be claimed on OPD insurance in many cases, but it depends on the conditions of each insurance company. For claiming a company's group insurance for office syndrome, many specialist clinics have partner insurance agents who are glad to give advice and check the conditions for claiming insurance for the patient.
As for social security entitlements and civil service entitlements, one should enquire with the relevant agency in order to know the details and the steps for using the entitlement. Preparing the necessary documents in advance will help the process of claiming the cost of treatment proceed smoothly.
In summary
Office syndrome is a health problem met often at the present time, particularly among the group of working people who have to spend most of the day in front of a computer screen. Treatment with physiotherapy is an effective choice in putting right the problem at the root cause, not only relieving the pain but also helping restore the working of the muscles and the joints and improving posture and movement. Choosing a clinic that has specialist physicians and modern equipment will help one receive the most effective treatment, alongside changing behaviour at work and caring for oneself with exercise and stretching the muscles regularly, so as to obtain a lasting result of treatment and prevent the problem from recurring in the future.
Physiotherapy for office syndrome is not only an effective treatment, but is also an investment in long-term health that will help you have a better quality of life and be able to work effectively. If you are experiencing the problem of office syndrome, you should not neglect it or go on suffering. At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we have a team of specialist physicians in the field of rehabilitation medicine and modern treatment technology, ready to give close care and adjust the treatment to suit the individual, in order to help you return to good health and be able to live life fully.