"I sit at a desk all day" is one of the most common things people tell me at a first visit. It's useful information — but it's the start of the conversation, not the conclusion.
Posture is one part of the picture
It's easy to assume that sitting is the problem and perfect posture is the answer. In reality, there's no single correct way to sit that suits everyone, and staying in any one position for hours can feel uncomfortable. Posture is one part of a broader assessment, alongside how you move, how you function, and what's going on in the rest of your life.
What I ask about
- How many hours you sit, and how often you get up
- Your set-up — desk, chair, screens, laptop and phone use
- Whether you work from home, the office, or both
- Commute, exercise, sleep and stress
- Where you notice discomfort, and when in the day it shows up
What I look at
Depending on what you've told me, the physical assessment may include your standing and seated posture, how your neck, upper back, lower back and hips are moving, and how you shift between positions. Where symptoms travel into the arms or legs, I'll include neurological checks. I'm looking for how your body is adapting to your working day — not for a single thing to blame.
Work at a desk all day?
Book an initial consultation at the Casuarina studio. No referral needed.
Practical ideas that often help
Alongside any chiropractic care, I'll usually talk through a few practical changes. Common ones include setting your screen so the top sits around eye level, using a separate keyboard and mouse with a laptop, taking short movement breaks through the day, and taking calls standing or walking where you can. Small, consistent changes tend to be easier to keep than a complete overhaul.
If you notice numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or hands that's getting worse, see your GP promptly rather than waiting.
Reviewing as you go
Desk-related discomfort can ebb and flow with deadlines, travel and busy seasons at work. That's one reason I review care at reassessment rather than setting a fixed number of visits. We look at your symptoms, your findings and how your working week is going, and decide together whether to continue, change the approach, space things out or move to managing it yourself.
For more, see our page on posture and desk workers, or find out what to expect at your first visit.
Dr Adam Williams is a chiropractor in practice since 2007 and founder of Restored Living Chiropractic in Casuarina, NSW. More about Adam
This article is general information only and not a substitute for individual assessment.
