Top Stretches To Do at Your Desk for a Healthier You

Online, August 31, 2011 (Newswire.com) - As the summer season comes to a close and the busy, hectic fall approaches, San Diego-based chiropractor Dr. Jay Warren and Schedulicity (www.schedulicity.com), the leader in online appointment scheduling, today released a list of simple stretches to do each day in the workplace to feel more relaxed and more energized.

"Sitting at a desk all is stressful on the body and over time, it tightens muscles due to your lack of activity," explains Dr. Warren. "Although prolonged sitting has become commonplace in this age of commuting and computers, it doesn't have to break your health down and drain you of your energy!"

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/120534-desk-posture-injuries/#ixzz1VVhH1cIF

Desk posture injuries run the gamut from eye strain, repetitive-motion injuries, to pinched nerves. In fact, carpal tunnel syndrome affects roughly three percent of men and two percent of women in their lifetimes, according to a 2006 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

While stretching may not be the prevention for all injuries, it can certainly help your body feel good and energized during the work day. The hope is that regular stretches performed often each day, can help prevent some of the common desk posture injuries.

Below are some great stretches for the work day. Hold each stretch for at least 20-30 seconds and do them at least twice per day.
1) Prayer stretch (for your wrists) - place your palms together in front of you with your fingers pointing up. Press your hands together and lift your elbows up to stretch the forearms.
2) Fall forward stretch (for your lower back) - while seated in your chair, fall forward and lay your chest on your thighs and let your hands hang to the floor. Feel the stretch in your lower back, mid back and neck. You can also straighten your knees while doing this to stretch the hamstrings at the same time.
3) Chair twist stretch (for your lower back) - while keeping your legs and feet pointing forward, twist your torso to one side so you're looking behind you. Repeat on the other side as well.
4) Pit Sniff stretch (for your neck and shoulders) - tuck your chin down and turn your head to one side. Place your hand on the opposite side of your head and gently pull like you're putting your nose in your armpit.
5) Shoulder Retractors (for your neck and shoulders) - pull your shoulders back and down like your trying to squeeze a pencil between your shoulder blades. Puff your chest out and take 3-5 deep breaths.

For more of Dr. Jay's "Simple Ways to Stress Less and Live More", visit his Facebook Fan Page, Being Well Lifestyles.

About Schedulicity
Schedulicity is the leading online appointment scheduling solution for small businesses. To date, more than 5,000,000 appointments have been booked through Schedulicity (an appointment is booked every five seconds) in more than 1,900 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Over $450 million in commerce is being booked per year using Schedulicity. To sign up for the service or to find a service provider near you, please visit http://www.schedulicity.com or Schedulicity's Facebook page.

About Dr. Jay Warren
Dr. Jay Warren is a wellness chiropractor and maintains a family practice in San Diego, CA. He created the Being Well Lifestyles Program for people to learn the tools necessary to minimize the stress in their lives by working with all areas of their lifestyle - mindset, exercise, diet, relaxation and enjoyment. Dr. Jay can be contacted through his website at www.BeingWellLifestyles.com