Five Symptoms of Workplace Tension and How to Relieve Them
Lots of people have stressful jobs and often don’t realise how much tension can be affecting their bodies. For example, sitting in front of a computer for 40 hours a week with poor posture can put a real strain on many different muscles.
As an Edinburgh massage therapist I’m used to treating people with all sorts of tension-related discomfort such as those below. My treatments are all individually tailored so you’ll get the best massage treatment for you.
• Tension in the neck and shoulders
Most people are aware of how they should be sitting at a desk when they’re working, but many don’t stick to the guidelines. Poor posture over a long period of time can cause tightness in your neck muscles and a build-up of lactic acid in your shoulders.
Recommended treatment: A Swedish massage which is ideal for releasing knots and tension.
• Tight calf muscles
Another area of the body which commonly gets tensed up at work is the backs of the legs. Again, bad posture at a computer is a leading cause of this as many people sit hunched up with their feet not flat on the floor. If this carries on month after month, the muscles can soon become solid and need a bit of attention.
Recommended treatment: Swedish massage.
• Headaches
Headaches and eye strain can be caused by tension and spending too long in front of a computer screen. With so many of us working at computers all day and then watching TV or using mobile devices in our spare time, it’s easy to see why these problems are so common.
Recommended treatment: Indian head massage.
• Back pain
Back pain can be the result of many different things. However, many of the people I see have mild discomfort in their lower back which is eased by massage treatment. Once again, poor posture is the main protagonist of workplace-related back pain. This can be made worse by the fact a lot of computer users don’t take regular breaks from their desk to have a walk around.
Recommended treatment: Hot stone massage or Swedish massage.
• Mental fatigue
Regardless of where you work, tension and stress can affect your state of mind too. Our environment seems to be more fast-paced and hectic than ever and it’s important you take time for yourself to relax and recharge your batteries.
Recommended treatment: Aromatherapy massage.
If you’re feeling a bit tense due to your working life, book one of my massage treatments and take some time out for yourself.
Disclaimer: The content of this article does not constitute medical advice and is for information purposes only. If you’ve been suffering from any of the issues mentioned for some time, make an appointment with your GP to rule out any other potential underlying causes.
