Before the backache came in, that is, we all recall the early days of working from home during the pandemic when reclining on the sofa was a novel way to get work done. Additionally, Meghan Markle runs the risk of developing a bad back if she works on the couch, however, this might not be the situation.
“Research shows that sitting on a sofa doesn’t necessarily contribute to back pain, it is more than sitting on the sofa in the same position for hours at a time is going to lead to pain and discomfort,” says the founder of Osteo Allies, Anisha Joshi who works with LQ Collagen.
Any position held for too long can cause pain and discomfort – even sitting on your sofa.
“Sofas tend to be soft, so sinking into one while working can mask the effects of prolonged sitting until it’s time to adjust yourself or stand up,” cautions Miriam Daurat, chartered physiotherapist at Our Health Hub.
“Prolonged muscle tension from staying in a hunched over position can result in not only back pain, but the pain in other joints too, such as the neck, shoulders, hips, and knees,” Miriam continues.
In addition to limiting breathing and circulation, hunching over can also increase muscle tension and fatigue—effects that may not always be immediately apparent.
So what can Meghan do to avoid back pain while working from her couch?
“To avoid causing injury, I would advise trying to move whilst on the sofa,” says Anisha.
Miriam agrees. “Set a 30-minute timer to remind you to get up and move around. Regular stretching throughout the day, targeting the neck, shoulders, back, and legs, will also go a long way to decreasing muscle tension.”