THE couch, bedroom and lounge room floor are no place to set up when working from home, according to the Leeton Physiotherapy Centre.
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With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Leeton shire residents took to working from home if their roles allowed it to keep themselves and the community safe.
Working from home is also not a new phenomenon, with many already afforded the opportunity to do so before the pandemic took over the lives of everyone.
However, while there are many advantages to doing so, there are several downsides - including the risk of injury if a home office is not set up correctly.
Physiotherapist and owner of the Leeton Physiotherapy Centre, Sally Hill, said clients often mentioned working at a computer for prolonged periods when coming to her with an issue.
"Certainly this has continued to be evident during COVID-19, particularly as people work from home, often with less than ideal work station set-ups," she said.
"Common symptoms include neck pain, shoulder pain, upper back pain, arm and wrist pain, and lower back pain.
"Less frequently people may experience pins and needles or numbness in the hands, or headaches.
"If people are working in less than optimal positions for long periods of time regularly, their symptoms are more likely to become chronic.
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"From our point of view this can be a little harder to treat, and the patient may take longer to respond to treatment."
The pandemic has meant businesses have had to adapt in many of their service areas.
With this has meant many more people have been given the chance to work from home and certainly it has shown people can thrive in this environment.
For many it is something that may become permanent in the years ahead, which is why it is essential to have a proper home office set up to avoid any potential injuries or strains.
Mrs Hill offered some advice to Leeton shire residents, saying they should be cautious and aware of their environment, just as they would when in the office.
"There is no such thing as the perfect posture, but certainly any sustained posture will become uncomfortable, particularly if you are putting you joints at end of range of normal movement, or under static load for long periods," she said.
"The most important thing is to set up your work station so that your joints are in a relatively neutral posture which decreases strain and allows efficient movement.
"Equally important is the need for regular movement or changes in posture to stimulate blood flow and reduce load on the tissues.
"Standing up and moving every 20 to 30 minutes relieves muscle tension and improves circulation - and hence oxygenation and nutrition of the tissues."
Residents who notice symptoms are not settling with self management by stretching, changing posture, having a good workstation set up, it is then they should seek professional assessment, treatment and advice to avoid chronic pain and changes in the function of the tissues.
Mrs Hill said it was crucial to be mindful of all of these issues both at home and in the office environment.
"General strength and fitness are really important in preventing these types of (workplace) injuries," she said.
"People who are fitter and stronger generally have less workplace injuries and they recover faster.
"Being active helps develop strength and control which ensures better support for the joints while you work. 'Motion is Lotion' - we are not designed to sit in one position all day, we are designed to move."
For those experiencing any pain or symptoms, the Leeton Physiotherapy Centre can assist. It is essential to seek help early.