21-Day Posture, Pain & Flexibility Plan (FOR OFFICE WORKERS)

 By  Shane Dowd, CES, CMP


Imagine this:

You're engrossed in your work, hunched over your keyboard, looking like Quasimodo...

As you attempt to stand up, a jolt of pain shoots through your back like a lightning bolt.

If you're an office worker, this scenario is all too familiar. 

But fear not!

We're about to dive deep into the science behind why sitting sucks, how to fix it, and how my friend Jason finally conquered his posture after two decades of failed attempts.

With this article, I’ll arm you with a 21-day plan to alleviate your pain, improve your posture, and boost your flexibility. So, read to the end!


Standing Up to a Sitting Down World

Sitting in front of a computer takes a toll on your body.

It wreaks havoc and causes pain. And let's face it, most of us need a better ergonomic set-up.

Add in the hours spent in the same position, and it's a recipe for discomfort or outright injury. In modern society, most of us struggle with back pain, headaches, and overall tension in our back, neck, and shoulders.

But here's the thing – studies have shown that making a few small, simple changes can make a world of difference. And by taking regular breaks to stand and stretch, you can increase your productivity too.

Boom! Less pain and more output! It's a win-win!


The Scientific Hazards of Prolonged Sitting

Now, you might be saying:

“Yeah,…lots of sitting makes me a little stiff…but it’s not THAT bad, is it?”

Yup. It’s THAT bad.

Prolonged sitting takes a toll on your health, cutting short your precious time on this Earth.

For example, alarming research involving 8,000 adults revealed that sitting for extended periods heightens your vulnerability to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and premature demise.

So, unless heart attacks and cancer are your idea of a good time, ya’ best get moving!

But wait, there's more!

Excessive sitting leads to unpleasant back, neck, hip, and shoulder discomfort. But maybe you can live with that. But how about an ever-growing belly ruining your svelt waistline?

Yale Medicine warns us that sitting contributes to the scale creeping up, ushering in weight gain and obesity. 

This might not be groundbreaking news to most of us. But that doesn’t mean we are heeding the dire warnings.

Knowing is not doing.

So, if the scary stuff like cancer, heart attacks, and the need to buy a new pair of pants isn’t enough, let’s turn to an inspiring example.

Here’s a real-life example from a personal friend of mine: Jason.

 

How He Fixed His Posture After 20 Years

As you can see from that interview with Jason, his story is inspiring.

With my Desk Posture Therapy program, he improved his 20 years of bad posture in just a few months.

What’s even cooler is that exercising became more comfortable as his posture and flexibility changed. He started running more with his wife and losing belly fat.

He told me that when he first started, it was tough! He had to do lots of stretching and exercises every day for an hour – some days more than an hour.

But now? 15 minutes a day, and he's getting compliments about the changes.

So, if you're like Jason, take heart! With dedication and hard work, it is possible to fix your posture - even after years of neglecting it.

To break free from the sedentary cycle, do what Jason did: take a break to move every 30 to 45 minutes or, at minimum, once an hour.

AKA, Find ways to sit less and move more!

For example, try standing at your desk, going for short walks, or engaging in the stretches below you’re about to learn.

These movements help relax your muscles, enhance circulation, and provide a mental boost to keep you laser-focused. It’s like hitting your brain's “refresh” button several times throughout the day.

The bottom line is this: you need to move more and sit less. So here’s your 21-day action plan. 

 

The Golden Rule of this 21-day Posture Plan is The 30/3 Rule

Here's The Golden Rule: Every 30 minutes, get up and move for 3 minutes or do 3 stretches.

Here are your stretches, week-by-week. Watch the video at the top of this page for instructions.

Whether at the office or working from home, it's time to move!

Your body craves motion, and science wholeheartedly agrees.

Let's spice things up by adding these energizing stretches to your daily routine. Not only will they loosen up those muscles and boost circulation, but they will also maintain your flexibility.

Say goodbye to the slow death of sitting in a chair and join me on this invigorating journey toward a healthier, happier you!  

 

Desk Posture Therapy That Works

If you want a more comprehensive 45-day posture and flexibility program, check “Desk Posture Therapy”.

In this program, we add targeted tissue work and strengthening exercises, which make your postural restoration efforts 2-3x more effective.

And, if you’re dealing with more severe pains or body problems, go to gotrom.com/vip to see how we can help you 1-on-1.

And as always, please remember, you’re just 1 step away from building, or rebuilding, your perfect body.

 

 

 

About The Author

Shane Dowd, CES, CMP, is the owner/founder of GotROM.com. He is also a sports performance & mobility coach specializing in injury prevention and flexibility for athletes.

 

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