Therex: One of the biggest complaints I hear is “sore neck, tightness in the shoulders and a painful tight low back when standing from sitting.”

We have become a society of sitters.  We use computers for our jobs.  We sit in cars driving to and from our jobs often in traffic for an hour or more creating both physical and emotional stresses on our systems.

So what can be done to alleviate these issues?  Well an easy answer is whatever you’re doing do the opposite.  If you sit for long periods of time at a desk or driving at least for a bit of time stand.  Someone out there is now I’m sure pulling in a seven or eight figure income on this new desk that allows a person to move from sitting to standing and continue to work (Oh capitalism what a glorious thing you are).

But is standing enough?  Let’s look at driving or typing all day in a seated position. Starting with the legs, knees are flexed, hips flexed, the pelvis is rolled forward,shoulders are rounded and head is typically forward.

The first line of defense in combating this should be a properly positioned seat in one’s automobile and ergonomically correct work station (especially if you don’t have a desk that allows you stand up and keep working). Seat height should allow feet to easily reach the floor while the hip in “joints” and knee “joints” parallel. Seat depth should allow approximately two finger width from the back of the knee and contact with the seat with the low back comfortably on the back of the chair for support.  The work station should be at a height at which the computer screen is looked at while the head and neck are in a neutral position and the keyboard is reached with elbows flexed to approximately 90 degrees.  This position allows the natural curves of the the spine to be mostly maintained not accounting for fatigue and weakness.

Seat position while driving should also emulate the above parameters as close to possible. Make sure the foot pedals can be easily reached as well as the steering wheel with elbow approximating 90 degrees with head neck and shoulders in neutral.

Even with a sit to stand desk if constant computer work continues a component of periodic stretching and postural exercises should be incorporated into the routine every couple of hours including standing low back extension, upper trapezius stretch, scapular retraction, cervical retraction to name a few. (For a more comprehensive list and description check out my blog dated June 13th, 2016!!).

Take good care of your spine and it will take good care of you!!

 

Sports:  The MLB playoffs kicked off last night  in Toronto with the Blue Jays hosting the Baltimore Orioles in The American League Wild Card game.

The one and done format of the Wild Card game that The MLB has implemented makes for an extra exciting and highly entertaining scenario.

With the “win or go home” format that is the Wild Card now the question on everyone’s mind is why Orioles Manager Buck Showalter did not go to his closer Zach Britton who had allowed only 4 earned runs and was perfect on the season in save situations (pretty much money).

Opting for journeyman starter Ubaldo Jimenez with one out in the bottom of the 11th promptly allowed two hits putting the winning run (and the Orioles season) on third base with one out.  Showalter inexplicably left Jimenez in the game to face Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion who promptly took a fast ball served on a platter into the upper deck in left field. Jays move on Orioles go home.

Showalter’s explanation or lack thereof after the game was as perplexing as the decision itself.  Stating Jimenez had been one of their best pitchers as of late. Still after two straight hits and one of the most dangerous hitters on earth coming to bat??

I wonder if Buck like most of the rest of the country was wanting to see the drama of Texas vs Toronto match up that could include Jose Bautista vs Rougned Odor II the superfight.

What ever his reasons the final question is,  did the bullpen fail Showalter or did Showalter fail the bullpen??

Rock n Roll: On this date in 1974 The Beach Boys released the album “Endless Summer”.

The album was a collection of several of the band’s hit songs Prior to the release of the legendary “Pet Sounds”.

“Endless Summer” became a huge success achieving the #1 position on the album charts in ’74 and to date has been certified platinum 3 times.

The 21 track two album set was a joyride through the early Beach Boys catalog.  The album cover artwork conveyed the exuberance of youth portrayed in running themes of surfing, cruising, racing  etc that was the staple of the pre “Pet Sounds” work and gave the group a popularity boost it has never really seemed to lose.

Happy 42nd birthday “Endless Summer”.

Until next time, Love, Peace, Good Health and Rock n Roll.