Back at Your Desk

Back At Your Desk

How To Move In Your Chair

When you're moving about at your desk, your back is vulnerable to injury. Sudden bends and turns pull stiff, tense muscles and cause nagging back pain. To help protect yourself, learn to watch your back when you make a move.

desk
Avoid sudden, jerky movements. desk
Take the time to plan your actions and move cautiously and carefully.
desk
Avoid twisting your torso. Move your whole body when you turn, with feet and hips facing your destination. desk
Turn toward things you need instead of reaching off to the side or pulling things toward you.
desk
To pick up objects that have fallen to the floor, slide to the edge of you chair and place a hand on your knee or your desk to support your back. Keep one foot in front for additional support. desk
Take a few minutes to walk around the office or do some gentle stretches to relieve muscle tension.
©Parlay International
May not be reproduced or redistributed in any form.

We would greatly appreciate your feedback about this site.

UM Home | Directories | Search | Calendar
Maintained by Department of Environmental Safety
Direct questions and comments to safety@umd.edu

Avoid sudden, jerky movements.	Take the time to plan your actions and move cautiously and carefully.
Avoid twisting your torso. Move your whole body when you turn, with feet and hips facing your destination.	Turn toward things you need instead of reaching off to the side or pulling things toward you.
To pick up objects that have fallen to the floor, slide to the edge of you chair and place a hand on your knee or your desk to support your back. Keep one foot in front for additional support.	Take a few minutes to walk around the office or do some gentle stretches to relieve muscle tension.