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Back pain after returning to work? What desk workers should know

03-2-2026

For many Brisbane locals, February means one thing: back to work, back to routines - and back pain. 

After weeks of holidays, relaxed schedules and less time sitting at a desk, your body suddenly has to adapt again. Long hours of sitting, poor posture and work stress often lead to stiffness, aches and lower back pain that seems to come out of nowhere. 

The good news? This type of back pain is common, preventative and very treatable when addressed early. 

Why back pain often appears after returning to work

Your spine thrives on movement and variety. During the holidays, you likely moved more freely, changed positions often and didn’t sit for hours at a time. 

prolonged sitting at work

Once work resumes, many people: 

  • Sit for 6-9 hours a day 

  • Lean forward over laptops 

  • Slouch during meetings 

  • Forget to take movement breaks

This sudden shift places strain on the spinal joints, muscles and discs - especially if posture isn’t ideal. 

 

How desk work affects your spine

Sitting might feel harmless, but prolonged sitting: 

  • Compresses spinal discs

  • Weakens core and postural muscles 

  • Tighten hip flexors and hamstrings 

  • Encourage rounded shoulders and forward head posture 

Over time, this can lead to workplace back pain, neck stiffness, headaches and even nerve irritation.  

Early warning signs you shouldn’t ignore 

Back pain rarely starts severe. It usually begins subtly, such as: 

  • Morning stiffness

  • A dull ache after work

  • Tightness between the shoulders 

  • Lower back soreness after sitting

  • Needling to stretch constantly for relief 

Ignoring these signs can allow small issues to become long term problems. 

What you can do right now 

Single changes can make a big difference: 

  • Adjust your chair so feet are flat and hips slightly higher than knees 

  • Keep your screen at eye level

  • Take short movement breaks every 30-60 minutes

  • Stretch your hips, chest and upper back daily 

These are helpful spinal health tips, but they don’t address underlying joint or alignment issues. 

take regular breaks at work

 

How a back pain chiropractor in Brisbane can help 

A chiropractor looks beyond symptoms to identify how your spine is moving and functioning

Chiropractic care can:

  • Improve spinal joint movement

  • Reduce muscle tension 

  • Address postural strain

  • Help prevent recurring pain 

  • Support long term spinal health 

If your back pain has returned with work, early care can help stop it from becoming chronic. 

If you’re dealing with back pain after returning to work, seeing a back pain chiropractor in Brisbane sooner rather than later can make all the difference. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT BACK PAIN AND HOW WE CAN HELP. 

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