Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Could your desk job be harming your health? Prolonged sitting and untreated pain can affect workers’ wellbeing and productivity worldwide.
Speaking to Aletihad, three experts highlighted these risks and explained how workplace adjustments, early treatment, as well as safe pain management can protect employees’ health.
Arda Arat, General Manager, Haleon, GNE, said that everyday pain has become something many employees endure rather than address, often affecting their concentration, wellbeing and productivity, a widespread issue reflected in the findings of the Haleon Pain Index.
“According to the Index, 50% of people globally have had problems at work because of their pain, and more than six in ten say it stops them from concentrating. Yet only three in ten have spoken to their manager or employer about it,” Arat said.
He attributed this reluctance partly to stigma; particularly in demanding working environments where employees may fear being perceived as weak.
“Half of all people in pain feel stigmatised, and a third fear being judged for it. Almost four in ten say talking about pain is taboo,” he said.
Arat highlighted the importance of creating supportive workplaces where employees can discuss pain openly, alongside providing flexible working arrangements, ergonomic equipment , and access to reliable health information.
He also emphasised the economic benefits of improving health literacy, noting that Haleon’s Health Inclusivity Index ranks the UAE first globally in wellbeing promotion and health outreach.
He stressed that better awareness could encourage early pain management and reduce healthcare costs.
“Our Health Inclusivity Index finds that low health literacy is linked to 2.8 times higher health costs per person, and reducing it by 25% could save the UAE $2.3 billion a year,” Arat said.
Beyond its impact on productivity, prolonged sitting can also have physical consequences, according to Dr Zoubir Boudi, Head of Emergency Department, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, Dubai.
“In my emergency medicine practice in the UAE, the most common problems are lower-back pain, neck and shoulder tension, headaches, joint stiffness and reduced mobility,” he said.
He explained that long working hours, commuting, poor workplace ergonomics and physical inactivity can worsen these conditions, while prolonged sedentary behaviour may increase the risk of chronic diseases.
“The practical solution is regular movement: change position frequently, stand or walk for a few minutes every hour, stretch, and adjust the chair, desk and screen correctly. A good chair helps, but it cannot replace movement,” he added.
Dr. Boudi also warned that ignoring persistent pain can affect sleep, mobility and concentration, potentially making manageable conditions more difficult to treat.
“Employees should seek medical advice when pain is worsening, repeatedly returning, affecting sleep or daily function, or not improving with simple measures and appropriate short-term treatment,” he said.
He stressed the importance of recognising warning signs and seeking timely medical attention rather than assessing pain solely by its severity.
“The key principle is simple: do not judge pain only by its intensity. Consider whether it is improving, how it affects function and whether warning signs are present,” Dr. Boudi said.
While early medical attention is important, prevention begins with everyday habits, according to Prof. Mohamed Baraka, Clinical Pharmacy academic and researcher, Vice President of Batterjee Medical College, Dubai.
“Office workers should maintain proper posture, use ergonomic chairs and adjustable screens, take short movement breaks every 30–60 minutes, and perform simple stretching exercises,” he said.
He also recommended regular physical activity, strengthening exercises, and adequate hydration; noting that mild pain can often be managed through gentle stretching and heat or cold therapy.
“For mild pain, staying active, gentle stretching, and applying heat or cold may provide relief. Persistent or worsening pain should be medically assessed,” he added.
Prof. Baraka also warned against excessive reliance on painkillers, highlighting the potential health complications associated with prolonged use.
“Excessive or prolonged use of painkillers can lead to serious complications, including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, liver toxicity, and, with opioids, dependence,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of pharmacists in guiding employees towards appropriate treatments, identifying potential drug interactions, and encouraging safer approaches to pain management.
“Most importantly, pharmacists can identify warning signs requiring medical referrals and educate employees that painkillers should relieve symptoms, not replace addressing the underlying causes of pain,” he said.
