| Most people at one time or another will suffer | | | | decreases muscle fatigue. |
| from a muscle tension headache. Hectic daily | | | | 5. Place your keyboard at a position level with |
| schedules, job deadlines to meet, family | | | | your forearms. When your forearms and hands |
| obligations, poor posture habits and even illness | | | | don't have to reach for the keyboard, they are |
| are just some of the stressors for tension | | | | less likely to fatigue. |
| headaches. | | | | 6. Get an adjustable chair so you can sit |
| You may be surprised to know that most muscle | | | | comfortably without having to reach for the floor |
| tension headaches can be easily treated and | | | | with your toes. Make sure the chair has |
| prevented without the use of medications. As a | | | | adjustable height, arm rests and good low back |
| matter of fact, it is best not to rely on | | | | support. |
| medications because you are only treating the | | | | 7. See if there is any way to adjust your work |
| symptoms of muscle tension headaches and not | | | | environment to put less stress on your low back, |
| the underlying cause. These useful tips will help | | | | hips, knees, shoulders and neck. Example: Do you |
| you decrease muscle tension at work and home. | | | | have to lean forward all the time to perform a |
| 1. Start becoming more aware of your posture at | | | | task? Try and raise your work higher so you |
| work and at home. | | | | don't have to bend as much. |
| 2. Stretch your neck, shoulder and back muscles | | | | 8. No matter what kind of work you do take |
| after you have been sitting or standing for long | | | | frequent "mini-stretch" breaks to prevent overuse |
| periods. Especially if you feel a muscle tension | | | | injuries. These only have to last 1 to 2 minutes |
| headache coming on. | | | | and provide an easy way to prevent a muscle |
| 3. When sleeping, make sure your neck is | | | | tension headache. |
| supported by a good pillow and in a "neutral | | | | 9. Exercise to strengthen the postural muscles |
| position". Use a pillow that is designed to support | | | | (neck, shoulders, back and abdominals). |
| the natural curve of your neck. | | | | 10. Make sure your work area has proper lighting. |
| 4. Make sure your computer monitor sits directly | | | | Having to squint or push your head forward in |
| in front of you and the screen is eye level. This | | | | order to see things increases eye and neck |
| will keep the head in a more neutral position which | | | | muscle tension. |