Although many healthcare jobs require constant motion and are physically demanding (e.g., floor nursing), other jobs have staff "chained to the chair" throughout most of the day. Technology has changed the work environment so drastically that approximately 75% of workers in industrialized countries sit for long periods of time (Reinecke, in Advances in Industrial Ergonomics and Safety IV, 2002). Despite, or possibly because of technology, back pain continues to hit US companies in the bottom line, with approximately 40% of all workers' compensation claims coming from low back pain (LBP) diagnoses (Lis, 2006).

Yes and maybe. According to a 2006 literature review, sitting alone does not directly contribute to LBP, unless it is accompanied by whole body vibrations (e.g., as experienced when driving heavy equipment) or awkward postures (Lis, 2006). The awkward postures affect healthcare workers. Many charting stations are "one size fits all," and so promote poor postures while documenting. Also, during medical procedures, clinicians often contort their bodies to work on their patients. For example, dental professionals have struggled for years to find positions that do not lead to musculoskeletal pain (Dylla et al., 2006).

For those in an office, the work station may lead you toward, or away from proper posture. Seating levels, computer screen levels, telephone handsets versus headsets, mouse positions, etc., all contribute to ergonomics and potential injuries. Even using bifocal glasses can result in constant tilting the head to look through the appropriate half of the lenses, and may lead to neck pain or headaches.

There are several physiologic and biomechanical changes that occur during prolonged sitting. The pressure in the vertebral discs greatly increases from 140% with fairly good posture to 275% with slumped, forward head posture (Nachemson, 1976). These constant pressure increase can contribute to disc bulging and herniation. Also, musculoskeletal pain often results from poor sitting postures.

The forward head position (when your ears align in front of your shoulders) causes constant muscular contractions of the long spinal muscles and cervicothoracic/shoulder girdle musculature. Imagine how tired your arms would be holding a bowling ball away from your body; this is analogous with what your trunk muscles are doing to support your head during forward head postures.

It is no secret that prolonged sitting contributes to musculoskeletal tightness. Muscles