Should You Trade in Your Chair to Have a Ball at the Office?

Exercise balls in place of chairs are becoming something of a trend in corporate offices across America these days. Most people rolling up to their computer on an exercise ball are doing so to gain “core” strength in the torso muscles, mainly the abdominals, that provide a solid foundation for overall movement. Core strength has become the latest fitness focus due to the popularity in Pilates, yoga and the use of exercise balls at health clubs.

Cathy Donahue, director of physical therapy at the Texas Back Institute, recommends that people sit in chairs and keep exercise balls at the gym.

“People generally spend seven to eight hours a day sitting at their desks, and there are many very well designed ergonomic chairs that will provide proper support if they are adjusted to fit a person’s specific needs,” says Cathy. “Exercise balls are great for exercise – as long as the person knows the correct form to use. Of course, anyone with back pain has special considerations to keep in mind.”

When back pain occurs, two key muscle groups – the multifidious muscle in the lower back and the transverse abdominal (our deepest abdominal muscle) – stop working. In that case, performing core stabilization exercises on an exercise ball will help encourage the muscles to begin working again to help support your spine. But be sure to work with a physical therapist to ensure that you are targeting the correct muscles and using proper form.

You can keep your back healthy and work on your core strength by remembering a few important tips:

Even a great ergonomic chair that is not adjusted properly can result in a person having bad posture. Make sure your chairs and arm rests are adjusted to support you at your desk properly.
Use exercise balls at the gym as part of your exercise program. Over time these exercises can increase abdominal and lower back muscle strength.
If you do use an exercise ball to improve core strength, make sure you are using the correct form. And, remember, instructors in classes at the gym don’t always have the capacity to watch everyone in class closely, so ask for individual guidance to insure proper form.

Texas Back Institute, Plano, Texas: As one of the nation's largest spine clinics, the Texas Back Institute is the expert in solutions for back pain. Founded in 1978, the Texas Back Institute has always recommended non-surgical treatments because we know they work best to relieve pain in most patients. The professional staff includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons with spine fellowship training, general surgeons, general medicine physicians, internists, chiropractors, physiatrists, pain specialists, exercise physiologists and a team of physical and occupational therapists. From non-operative spine care to surgery, the Texas Back Institute offers chiropractic care, diagnostic procedures, fitness services, pain management, patient education, physical therapy, research and return-to-work programs including work conditioning and work hardening. To learn more about the Texas Back Institute and to obtain free updates and helpful back tips, go to www.texasback.com or call 1-800-247-BACK. Texas Back Institute's with offices in Denton, Fort Worth, Garland, Greenville, Hurst, Midland, Plano, TX and Phoenix, AZ. For additional information, visit the Texas Back Institute website at www.texasback.com

MEDIA CONTACT
For more information, contact Meredith Falke, (214) 891-7795 meredith_falke@richards.com

Consumer phone number: 1-800-247-BACK