Understanding the nuances of body pains during Work From Home is pivotal: Dr. Poonam Patel Vasani | CPO INNOVATION

With the ongoing global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Work From Home (WFH) is the new normal. This transition has come abruptly. None of us were prepared for it. And expectedly, this sets a new precedent which is likely to continue beyond the lockdown. Companies like TCS have already announced that by 2025, 75% of their employees will Work From Home. 

At office, we have ergonomically designed workspaces, best suited for longish work hours. At home, working from couch, bed, etc. may not be a great idea. We need to adjust our workspace at home. This pandemic may be temporary but its impact on our body will be permanent,says Dr. Poonam Patel Vasani. In an exclusive interview, we spoke to her regarding the impact of WFH on our spine, joints and muscles. We also sought a few basic tips for our readers on how to adjust home office to avoid any form of body pain. 

CPO Innovation: Can working from home lead to body pains?

Dr. Poonam Patel Vasani: Most certainly – WFH (if not done properly) can cause back pain, wrist pain, neck and shoulder pain, leg cramps and joint stiffness. When you attend office, there is a routine for daily activities like sleep-wake time, exercise, office work, household chores and personal time. But while WFH, we tend to forgo our routine, our work extends beyond the office time. Sleep-wake cycle, diet and exercises go for a toss. All these factors ultimately impact our health – both physical and mental. This pain can be a new onset of pain or aggravation of a pre-existing pain condition like spondylosis, slip disc, sciatica, etc.

CPO Innovation: How can working from the comforts of home cause body pains?

Dr. Poonam Patel Vasani: Human mind and body seeks comfort. This results in us working from the bed/sofa/bean bag/any place which instantly suits us. Initially, this feels comfortable but over time, you start feeling a difference in your body. Also, when you WFH, you tend to overlap household tasks and office work. For example, you may be cooking while taking an office call. This causes stress, both physical and mental. Juggling multiple responsibilities at the same time may qualify you to be called a superhuman, but end of the day, we are all humans.

CPO Innovation: Who is at risk for developing body pains during WFH? 

Dr. Poonam Patel Vasani: Anyone. This is especially true if you are not aware of your posture and have not developed a specific work schedule and workspace at home. If you are suffering from diabetes, hypertension, cardiac problems, obesity, slip-disc, sciatica, spondylosis etc., you are at a higher risk. Being a smoker also increases your risk for developing muscle and bone pains.

CPO Innovation: How can one identify if WFH is affecting his/her joints, muscles and spine?

Dr. Poonam Patel Vasani: You should pay attention to the subtle signals which your body gives you at the onset. These signals are body stiffness, vague aches in back, neck, calves, occasional tingling in legs or hands, eye strain, irritability and lethargy. Ultimately there is back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, joint pains which can be crippling. This sets the ball rolling for many serious (but avoidable) medical conditions.

CPO Innovation: What can I do to avoid body pains while working from home?

Dr. Poonam Patel Vasani: You can avoid body pains by following a spine-healthy lifestyle. First and foremost, set a routine similar to the one you follow while going to office. Keep your time for household chores and office work separate. Inform this to your family members and at the office. Specifically: 

CPO Innovation: One last question, how should one set up office space for WFH?

Dr. Poonam Patel Vasani:  Setting up a posture friendly workspace at home is very easy. Follow these steps:

About Dr. Poonam Patel Vasani (MBBS, MD, FIPM)

Dr. Poonam Patel Vasani is an interventional pain management specialist, an expert in multidisciplinary management of chronic pain; including back pain, neck pain, knee pain and shoulder pain. She is the director of Spinalogy clinic (Kalyani Nagar, Pune) and is a visiting doctor/consultant at various hospitals. She has authored many scientific papers in Indian and International journals and contributed to textbooks on pain medicine.