Massages and Yoga May Help Court Reporters Prevent Serious Back Problems
As a court reporter, back problems are likely a regular part of your job. A burning in your neck, a stabbing feeling in your spine—it’s a distraction that could cause you just a moment’s loss of focus and ruin the entire transcript. You take a deep breath, straighten up, and keep going, praying that one of the attorneys will call for a recess soon.
Is There Any Way to Ease a Court Reporter’s Back Pain?
While you can’t do much to ease your pain while sitting in court, there are many things you can do at home to strengthen your back (and even improve your quality of life while you’re at it):
- Stretching breaks. Humans aren’t machines: they will eventually have to stop for meals and restroom breaks. Make the most of each break you get by stretching, doing neck circles, and touching your toes to prevent cramping.
- Massages. They’re not just a spa day treat—massages can release knots and tension in your back that build up over weeks and months of work.
- Exercise. Any type of regular exercise, including walking the dog around the block, will help prevent bodily injury, while light strength training can build the weakened muscles in your back.
- Meditation. It may seem silly, but meditation can help with a number of job problems, including relaxation, ability to focus, pain management, improved posture, and even better sleep at night.
- Yoga. Stretching exercises can lengthen your muscles and improve your ability to sit for long periods without pain—plus inverted poses will help build hand and finger strength.
- Regular checkups. Preventative medicine can go a long way, but if you suffer from arthritis, a repetitive stress injury, or degenerative disc disease, you should have a doctor’s help in dealing with your condition.
Although back problems will always be a part of a stenographer or court reporter’s job, they don’t have to be the reason you leave the profession. If you’ve been sitting for hours straight with no break, wait until the attorney has finished a line of questioning and ask for a recess—chances are everyone in court will thank you for it.
What’s the biggest problem facing stenographers today? Leave a comment below to let us know how you deal with the stresses of life as a court reporter.
