Long Hours at Work Could Be Hurting You, Survey Finds - East Idaho News
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Long Hours at Work Could Be Hurting You, Survey Finds

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Getty 100512 BackPain?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1365655461406iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Does it hurt to be at work? For a lot of people, the answer could be yes.

A new survey by the American Osteopathic Association finds two-thirds of U.S. office workers have experienced physical pain on the job in the last six months. And one in four workers believe it’s just part of having an office position.

AOA spokesman Dr. Rob Danoff says untreated or undertreated pain can become chronic, and that staying seated for long periods contributes mightily.

“We have become work potatoes,” Danoff says. “Our study shows that over 70 percent of people sit five or more hours each and every day at work. This doesn’t even include their sitting time on the commute home, and when they’re sitting at home. So, this is a big problem.”

Chronic pain affects more people  — 100 million Americans a day — than heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined, Danoff says. You can fight it by getting up from your chair several times during the day, sitting up straight, taking the stairs.
 
For more information on how to cut back on chronic pain, Danoff suggests visiting osteopathic.org/pain. The website includes a desk makeover section to teach office workers the best ways to prevent chronic pain from long hours at work.

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