Stretching Our Legs | Physio Clinic

Enough hard work, let's play! No guest speaker this week, instead we got our legs moving and trekked up to Brampton to Sheridan's Athletic Centre to learn about the dangers of being a lump at a desk. Also, to use the gym and get some treatment. Play time and a massage? Um, yes please.

STRETCH

Ok so since this trip is really about stretching and keeping active here's some notes on how to avoid desk related injuries.

COMMON INJURIES

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Eye Strain
Sciatic Nerve Irritation

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Tightness and aches in forearms
'Knots' in shoulder and neck
Tension headaches
Tingling/Numbness
Decreased range of motion
Pain

WHY STRETCH?

Lack of movement can lead to muscle strain
Stretching helps prevent further damage to injury
Issues untreated may require surgical treatment

WHAT TO DO

Take a 5—10 minute break every hour spent at a desk
Vary your work tasks.
Stand up and move around
Look away from screen occasionally
Relax, stretch and change positions

NOTES

Try to get an adjustable chair and desk
A good chair is extremely important
Keep wrists as straight as possible.

Don't slouch

PLAY

Now that that's out of the way, let's talk about the gym. The range of equipment at in gym put a big smile on my face and a slight worry into muscles. I hit the bike, the free weights, the chin up bar, the big machines, more free weights, medicine balls, kettle balls, jump rope, and the yoga mat (for a quick lie down). Best of all though was the undulating ropes. A little plyometrics in the morning really gets the blood flowing (and the sweat).

TREAT
After a few hours of trying out all the equipment in the gym and getting sufficiently sore and tired I headed to the physio room to get 'treatment'. Fortunately for me I don't have any lingering issues so I didn't need fixing. More fortunately that meant I just got a heat pad and a massage for my newly sore muscles. 

Check out Derek the Designer for some awesome shots of the day.