The effectiveness of office exercises in preventing and treating lower back pain among office workers: an analytical study
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Abstract
The sedentary work environment is a major contributing factor to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, particularly lower back pain, among office workers. Despite the growing interest in exercise as a therapeutic and preventive intervention, scientific evidence regarding the underlying mechanisms of its effectiveness and optimal programs for the office setting remains limited. This analytical study aimed to evaluate the latest exercises proposed for office workers and discuss their effectiveness in alleviating lower back pain based on theoretical foundations and physiological mechanisms. A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted using the databases Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed. The review included studies that addressed exercise for lower back pain in office workers, which followed clear methodologies and provided sufficient statistical data. Studies that lacked a critical review of previous academic literature or had unclear methodologies were excluded. The analysis revealed a gap in the evidence concerning the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in this context. Nevertheless, the analyzed studies conclusively demonstrated that office-specific training exercises had a statistically significant effect (p<0.05) on reducing pain levels and discomfort scores associated with lower back pain. The findings confirm that office exercises represent an effective strategy for improving pain outcomes among office workers by enhancing the flexibility and strength of the muscles supporting the spine. Therefore, it is recommended that occupational therapy and occupational health professionals adopt these exercises as a practical and evidence-based tool for the prevention and treatment of lower back pain in workplace environments.
Keywords: exercise, lower back pain, treatment.
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