We are much absorbed in our day to day work, that unknowingly we maintain long hours of same posture. The urge to finish the task makes us neglect even fatigue. This has become the ritual that everyone follows merrily. The cycle continues to nurture fatigue. When unchecked for long periods, it becomes the cause for chronic pain. It is responsible too, for the underlying structural deformities and different joint pains. 

Yes, the Indian middle class values education heavily, reflected in the size of the school bags. This is often encouraged on the pretence of giving the kids “a good base”. The kids do well no doubt. Unfortunately, it also provides a good base for severe back pain later in life. What use is persistent pain to the sufferer, the family and the country? In IT sector people sit for hours on end, on occasions 10 hours or more, which make them prone to neck pain and back pain. The salesman in a chemists shop or a teacher in the school stand for long hours, resulting in severe knee pain and arthritic changes in the knee joints.

Certain thoughts and questions might spring to your mind “should I just quit the job and start caring for my back or knees or whatever it is that hurts? Not possible, you see. Still have a family to feed and clothe. Are there any practical solutions to help me cope with such a situation?” 

Yes, is the emphatic answer. I have highlighted these examples to drive home the fact that prolonged postures – sitting, standing or bending – lines up some unpleasant pain conditions for the future. It is also to emphasize, how important it is to make simple lifestyle changes to cope with the pace of modern life.

I am an occupational therapist by profession, and would not be surprised at all if you have not come across one, except for corporate tertiary care centres. “What then” you might ask “you do?” Well, we treat any physical or mental problem that interferes with a person's ability to perform activities of daily living. Therapy could be provided for anyone from young children to older adults. We have core skills in lifestyle management, and particularly in activity analysis. We help people learn to take care of themselves when a health problem limits normal activity.

Back to the effect of prolonged posture and sedentary lifestyle, we now know that it reduces functional capacity, strength, and endurance and above all with pain, the motivation to perform tasks, however simple that might be. If we change our habits to maintain proper posture, maintain joint alignment as per our body’s capacity we will be able to protect our joints.

There are several principles and techniques available to protect the joints, but over coming age old habits take perseverance, dedication, and time. Moreover, when an injury or illness is added to our bad postures, it will only make it difficult to perform daily activities, making one feel helpless and depressed. When this happens, he or she could quit trying to recover. 

Each individual principle and technique may have only a small effect on the management of the limitation caused by any joint problem. But implementation of several or all of the principles, however, may have a dramatic effect over time on the quality of life. Joint protection and fatigue management are quite important to reduce pain, lessen stiffness, decrease flare-ups, and to be able to achieve more.

Fatigue management is a crucial part of any joint program. Strategies to manage fatigue are as follows:

• balance – rest and relaxation
• activity – exercise
• be kind to yourself
• thought diversions

It is obvious that a right balance between work or any activity and relaxation is a must. We know that it reduces fatigue, both physical and mental. As occupational therapists, we can help people become more active and willing to take care of themselves. We help people experience success and restore dignity.

The author of the blog is Dr Preeti Agrawal - Consultant Occupational Therapist at Axon Pain Center

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