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Middle East District Public Website

Employees learn about staying healthy and pain free at the office

Public Affairs Office
Published Oct. 30, 2014
WINCHESTER, Va. - Dr. Melissa Jennings, Winchester Phyiscal Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc., and employee Joey Behr demonstrate correct posture during the Helath Promotions Committee's brown bag luncheon Oct. 29.

WINCHESTER, Va. - Dr. Melissa Jennings, Winchester Phyiscal Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc., and employee Joey Behr demonstrate correct posture during the Helath Promotions Committee's brown bag luncheon Oct. 29.

WINCHESTER, Va. - Dr. Melissa Jennings from Winchester Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc. spoke to employees during a brown bag lunch program Oct. 29 at the District headquarters in Winchester, Va.

Jennings, who is also an anatomy professor at Shenandoah University, spoke to employees about common aches and pains, and how to alleviate them while at the office.

She talked about common types of aches and pains such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and knee pain. She explained the common causes of each type of pain and suggested some simple exercises that can be done at the office to help with the pain.

“People have a misconception that exercise is only used for weight loss,” she said. “It can also be used for pain relief.”

According to Jennings, one of the best ways to relieve pain is to improve posture, especially while sitting at a desk.

“The best treatment is good posture,” she said. “Keep your spine neutral and shoulders back.”

The brown bag lunch was organized by the Middle East District Health Promotion Committee.

“While changing our behavior is ultimately up to each one of us, a little employer investment can stimulate the workforce to take an active role to improve their own physical condition,” said Chris Nelson, Middle East District safety and occupational health manager. “That is what the brown bag sessions are intended to do.”

The Health Promotion Committee aims to hold quarterly brown bag sessions, Nelson said.