Australian office workers face a back pain epidemic and risk developing chronic diseases by sitting for almost 16 hours a day with more than half never taking conscious breaks to stand and move around. Australians are spending more time than ever sitting which not only causes spinal damage, but increases the risk of disease and even death.

 The problem we face in modern society and with modern technology is that we’re going from a sedentary workplace to a sedentary home so it’s essential we sit less and be more active.

Getting up to walk around or stretch regularly just for a minute or two is a great way of releasing some stress. This resets your posture and gives your body a break.

Taking regular breaks at least every hour and follow some simple rules to sitting correctly will help to increase the health and wellbeing of the employees which means they’ll be happier and more productive.

General tips for sitting correctly include:

• Keep your hips, elbows and knees at open angles (slightly more than 90 degrees)
• Recline slightly to ease lower back pressure
• Ensure your feet are flat on the floor or on a footrest
• Factor in short, regular breaks from sitting to stretch; stand; change or correct your posture or walk around the office.

Ultimately when we sit correctly and have regular breaks we are preventing problems developing to our backs.