Dr. Erik Rebbe earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT) from the University of Miami in 2016 where he graduated with honors. Since graduating, Dr. Rebbe has continued to obtain various certifications to further develop his knowledge of the latest techniques and broaden his expertise to address various medical conditions so that he can help his patients embrace a better quality of life.
Dr. Rebbe’s patients seek his care to address various issues, from those suffering from injuries associated with the practice of sports to patients living with Parkinson, CVA, and MS. Dr. Rebbe has noticed in the past several months a significant increase of patients suffering from conditions related to working from home (WFH) and sitting in front of a computer for extended periods. The young and the not-so-young, the fit and the sedentary, can all suffer from the pain, stiffness, and discomfort to neck, back, and spine due to extended periods sitting in front of a computer. Dr. Rebbe designs a customized treatment plan for each of his patients incorporating advanced manual techniques, therapeutic exercises, and neuromuscular re-education to restore your mobility, reduce your discomfort, and help you live your best possible life.
If your work requires sitting in front of a computer for extended periods, Dr. Rebbe offers the following recommendations for preventing or reducing aches and pains:
Take a Seat
Use an ergonomic chair with proper back support that promotes sitting tall.
Keep It Level
The top of your computer monitor should be at or slightly below eye level (approximately 15 degrees below your line of sight).
Make a Move
It is vital to get up, move, and do a few stretches at least every hour to reduce the risk of neck pain, back pain and decreased mobility.
Feet First
Maintaining good foot positioning is important for blood flow and posture. Your feet should either be placed flat on the floor, and your knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle. This will help create better posture and less back pain.
Get Support
Use low back support as most pain in your back comes from prolonged poor posture and slouching. To prevent slouching, you can take a towel or blanket, roll it into a log-like form, and place it horizontally along the small of your back. If you start to slouch, the towel or blanket will not sit properly on your back.
Do Desk Stretches
There are a variety of exercises that are easy to complete at your desk including shoulder rolls, shoulder blade squeezes, thoracic rotations and neck rolls to prevent pain from prolonged sitting.
Seek Help from A Physical Therapist
If you are suffering from back or neck pain due to your WFH situation, it is a good idea to seek help from a physical therapist. Physical therapy sessions can help relieve back pain and provide you with better mobility and comfort so that you can increase your productivity, improve your quality of life and face your colleagues in Zoom with a relaxed smile and not a grimace of pain. Contact Rebbe Rehab today!