Pain from desk work

Does this sound like you?

• Your neck is fine in the morning and stiff and sore by mid-afternoon
• A headache builds at the back of your head as the working day goes on
• Your shoulders and upper back ache, and you can't seem to relax them
• Your lower back aches after a long stretch of sitting and eases once you move
• You've already tried a new chair or a standing desk, and it still hurts

What's usually going on

Sitting isn't damaging your spine, and there's no single "correct" posture you've been getting wrong. The usual problem is staying in one position for hours, day after day, often with a deadline or a full inbox adding to it.

Muscles and joints that are held still for long periods get tired and sensitive. That's why the pain tends to build through the day and ease at weekends or on holiday.

How I can help

I treat mechanical neck pain, general back pain, headaches that come from the neck, and shoulder and upper back pain. I'll work out what's driving yours, treat it hands-on, and give you a few exercises and practical changes to your working day that you'll actually keep up.

Fits around a working day

The clinic is inside The Work Lounge, a coworking space on Beehive Lane in central Loughborough, with a car park opposite. It's a short walk from offices in the town centre, and about 10 minutes' drive from Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park. Book online in under a minute, and you'll see me at every appointment.

Is your desk part of it?

My free desk check takes two minutes and shows where your setup is most likely adding to the problem, and what to change first.

When I'm not the right person

Please see your GP, or go to A&E, rather than booking with me, if:

• Your pain started after a car accident, fall or blow to the head
• You have a sudden, severe headache, the worst you've ever had
• You have weakness, numbness or pins and needles in your arm or hand
• You have problems with balance, speech, swallowing or vision
• You have a fever, feel generally unwell, or have unexplained weight loss

Read more

• Neck pain in your 30s, 40s and 50s
• Upper back pain in your 30s, 40s and 50s
• Headaches that come from the neck
• Low back pain in your 30s, 40s and 50s